Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

Firearm Preemption Laws

Gun control supporters demand that state legislatures impose a wide variety of gun control restrictions within their borders. However, they hypocritically cry foul when legislatures use their power to limit gun control. Frustrated at their inability to convince state legislatures to adopt the restrictive firearm laws they propose, gun control supporters say that local jurisdictions should be able to adopt those restrictions independently.

Aside from gun control supporters’ hypocrisy, there are multiple arguments against local restrictions on basic firearm rights. Historically, some local jurisdictions have imposed clearly unconstitutional restrictions on gun ownership—the District of Columbia’s and Chicago’s since-overturned handgun bans being two recent examples. It also creates confusion when laws vary widely within a state, potentially placing otherwise law-abiding citizens at risk of violating an ordinance of which they were not previously aware, as they travel within their states, and more so when they travel outside their state of residence.

As a result, almost all states today have a law prohibiting local jurisdictions from imposing gun control restrictions that are more severe than state law.

Issue Articles
SECTION
FROM
WITHIN

Associated Press  

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Montana: State attorney general to rule on Missoula’s new gun rules

Montana’s attorney general will issue a legal opinion on a Missoula ordinance requiring background checks for private gun ...

Associated Press  

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Showdown over local gun laws looms in Pennsylvania

State lawmakers on Monday moved closer to an election season showdown with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf over a ...

Associated Press  

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Arizona: Lawmaker says Tucson destroying guns instead of selling

A southern Arizona lawmaker wants Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to determine if Tucson is breaking state law ...

Missoulian  

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Gianforte, Bullock say Missoula background check ordinance against state law

Despite a contentious election, Gov. Steve Bullock and Republican challenger Greg Gianforte do agree on at least one ...

KPAX  

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Montana: Missoula City Council criminalizes private transfers

The proposed ordinance requiring background checks for private transfers of guns is now law, after Missoula City Council ...

Philadelphia Inquirer  

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Pa. bill would give NRA, others right to sue over gun laws

The Pennsylvania House once again is considering a bill that would allow gun enthusiasts and organizations such as ...

Desert Sun  

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

California: Palm Springs council to take final gun control vote

The Palm Springs City Council will take a final vote on a controversial firearms ordinance Wednesday, finalizing an ...

WDSU  

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

New Orleans: Mayor Landrieu signs city's new gun control ordinance into law

Under the new ordinance, people will be required to report lost or stolen firearms to police within 48 ...

Times-Picayune  

Monday, September 12, 2016

New Orleans approves law requiring residents to report stolen guns

The New Orleans City Council granted unanimous approval to an ordinance that would punish residents who lose a ...

Roanoke Times  

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Virginia: Roanoke council may seek partial gun ban

The Roanoke City Council may ask the General Assembly to add Roanoke to a list of Virginia localities ...

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.