As previously reported, this week the House Judiciary Committee hearing that was scheduled for Senate Bill 1266, the firearm preemption bill, was canceled. SB 1266 has now been rescheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 16, at 8:00am. Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and politely urge them to support SB 1266. Please use the Request to Speak application (RTS) on the Arizona State Legislature website to urge committee members to SUPPORT SB 1266. 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.
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.
Additionally, House Bill 2446, House Bill 2524 and House Bill 2338 all passed out of the Senate Committee on Government this week.
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 2524 would create a “Uniform Firearm Transfer Compact.” Under the compact, 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.
HB 2338 would prevent educational institutions from adopting policies that would prohibit individuals from lawfully possessing or carrying a firearm in their vehicle (means of transportation) on a public right-of-way.
Once again, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as Arizona Legislature’s 2016 session progresses.