Next Wednesday, March 9, two pro-gun bills, Senate Bill 1266 and House Bill 2446 are both scheduled for committee hearings. Please use the Request to Speak application (RTS) on the Arizona State Legislature website to urge committee members to SUPPORT SB 1266 and HB 2446! RTS is the most efficient and effective way to contact committee members with your support of important pro-gun legislation. It is imperative that you create an account and continue utilizing this tool throughout the 2016 legislative session.
As previously reported, SB 1266, sponsored by state Senator Steve Smith (R-11), would improve the state firearms preemption law to ensure consistency throughout the Grand Canyon State. This would be done by providing a mechanism to declare unlawful regulations null and void in addition to providing penalties for knowing and willful violations by localities. SB 1266 is a much-needed protection that will help law-abiding gun owners ensure they are in compliance with the law. SB 1266 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee at 9:00am on Wednesday, March 9.
HB 2446, sponsored by state Representative David Livingston (R-22), makes necessary revisions to Arizona’s current definition of a “prohibited weapon” to exclude all firearms or devices that are legally possessed in compliance with the National Firearms Act (NFA). The technical correction made by HB 2446 changes the registration of NFA items from the Treasury Department to the appropriate Federal Agency in order to be compliant with current federal law. HB 2446 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Government Committee at 2:00pm on Wednesday, March 9.
Yesterday, Senate Bill 1257, legislation that would expand the list of places where law-abiding gun owners can carry concealed, passed the Arizona State Senate with an 18-12 vote. SB 1257 was sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration, but has not yet been assigned to a committee. Also, House Bill 2524, the bill which would create a “Uniform Firearm Transfer Compact,” passed the House with a 35-24 vote. HB 2524 was sent to the Senate where it has been referred to the Senate Government Committee for further consideration.
SB 1257, sponsored by state Senator John Kavanagh (R-23), makes changes to existing law and expands the list of places where law-abiding gun owners can exercise their fundamental right to self-defense to include some additional public areas where certain security measures are not in place.
Under the compact that would be created in HB 2524, every state that agrees to the terms would maintain reliably uniform firearm transfer laws to ensure consistency in public policy. This compact would promote a better public understanding of the law, especially for individuals who travel and establish residences among member states.
Once again, please use the Request to Speak application to contact committee members in support of SB 1266 and HB 2446! Also, please continue checking www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as they progress through the Arizona Legislature.