Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
results per page:
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 29, 2012 | MN | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 47) |
| March 11, 2010 | VA | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| June 17, 2010 | LA | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 26) |
| April 2, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15) |
| Nov. 15, 2010 | PA | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35) |
| Dec. 14, 2022 | OH | SB 16 | Amends Various Criminal Justice Reforms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 20) |
| March 2, 2012 | OR | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 6) |
| March 24, 2023 | WA | SB 5006 | Amends Firearm Waiver Rights for At-Risk Individuals | Bill Passed - House (61 - 35) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 3256 | Requires 72 Hour Waiting Period for Guns | Bill Passed - House (72 - 44) |
| May 6, 2013 | TX | SB 864 | Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training | Bill Passed - House (116 - 30) |
| Aug. 11, 2022 | CA | SB 1384 | Requires Firearm Dealers to Use Video Surveillance Systems | Bill Passed - House (53 - 19) |
| Sept. 11, 2023 | CA | SB 2 | Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 23) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
| Feb. 17, 2022 | UT | SB 115 | Prohibits Local Jurisdiction of State Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (58 - 16) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
| March 25, 2015 | KS | SB 45 | Authorizes Concealed Firearms Without a License | Bill Passed - House (85 - 39) |
| April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| May 27, 2021 | LA | SB 118 | Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (73 - 28) |
| April 29, 2015 | NH | SB 116 | Repeals License Requirement for Concealed Handguns | Bill Passed - House (212 - 150) |
| Aug. 28, 2023 | TN | SB 7085 | Requires Safety Storage Training be Added to Future Firearm Training Courses | Bill Passed - House (77 - 9) |
| April 26, 2016 | AZ | SB 1257 | Authorizes Concelead Carry of Firearms in Public Places | Bill Passed - House (35 - 23) |
| Jan. 6, 2023 | IL | SB 2226 | Prohibits the Sale, Manufacture, Delivery, and Purchase of Assault Weapons in the State | Bill Passed - House (64 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | LA | SB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders | Bill Passed - House (74 - 30) |
| March 10, 2023 | WV | SB 608 | Amends the Definition for What is Considered a "Deadly Weapon" | Bill Passed - House (92 - 3) |
| April 17, 2023 | MT | SB 359 | Prohibits the Tracking of Firearms Sales by Financial Institutions | Bill Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| April 21, 2021 | AR | SB 573 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Government Buildings, Parks and Property | Bill Passed - House (78 - 16) |
| Feb. 23, 2018 | WA | SB 5992 | Prohibits Bump Stocks | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
| April 29, 2021 | OR | SB 554 | Authorizes Local Governments and School Districts to Prohibit Guns on Capital and State Property | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| May 3, 2021 | TN | SB 1335 | Classifies Tennessee as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" | Bill Passed - House (75 - 13) |
| April 7, 2016 | HI | SB 2954 | Requires Gun Owners to Register in Database | Bill Passed - House (26 - 21) |
| April 16, 2024 | ME | LD 2224 | Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System | Bill Passed - House (75 - 68) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (76 - 34) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | SB 1 | Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried | Bill Passed - House (93 - 42) |
| Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
| April 4, 2019 | HI | SB 600 | Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State | Bill Passed - House (37 - 12) |
| April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 487 | Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves | Bill Passed - House (52 - 39) |
| May 13, 2021 | TX | SB 19 | Prohibits Contracts with Companies That Discriminate Against Gun Industry | Bill Passed - House (86 - 60) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 755 | Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 172 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | VA | SB 610 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| May 20, 2021 | NV | SB 6 | Authorizes Seizure of Firearms from "High-Risk" Individuals | Bill Passed - House (29 - 11) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| May 31, 2022 | LA | SB 379 | Prohibits Felons Convicted of Gun-Related Offenses at 16 or 17 From Carrying a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| June 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Bill Passed - House (68 - 41) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 259 | Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| March 8, 2021 | MS | SB 2107 | Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access | Bill Passed - House (82 - 34) |
| May 29, 2018 | IL | SB 337 | Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules | Bill Passed - House (65 - 49) |
| June 19, 2012 | NY | A 1157B | Requires Firearms to Have Microstamping Technology | Bill Passed - House (85 - 60) |
| April 18, 2013 | CA | SB 140 | Appropriates Funds to the Armed Prohibited Persons System | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
| April 10, 2023 | WA | SB 5231 | Amends Legal Process for Emergency No Contact Orders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| May 11, 2016 | NH | SB 336 | Amends Requirements to Obtain Concealed Carry License | Bill Passed - House (217 - 132) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 3897 | Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| July 1, 2020 | HI | SB 3054 | Requires Gun Owners to Notify Police when Firearm is Moved out of State | Bill Passed - House (38 - 13) |
| Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | SB 374 | Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
| Feb. 12, 2013 | VA | SB 1335 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
| Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| May 24, 2021 | TX | SB 20 | Requires Hotels to Permit Guests to Carry Firearms to Private Rooms | Bill Passed - House (81 - 62) |
| April 6, 2023 | MD | SB 858 | Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (100 - 37) |
| March 12, 2015 | WV | SB 347 | Repeals the Requirement of a License for Concealed Guns | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| May 2, 2013 | AL | SB 286 | Amends Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (74 - 27) |
| June 27, 2022 | CA | SB 1327 | Authorizes Individuals to Sue Firearm Manufacturers | Bill Passed - House (52 - 21) |
| Jan. 23, 2020 | WA | HB 1010 | Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| March 29, 2021 | TN | SB 765 | Authorizes Individuals 21 Years Old and Older to Either Openly Carry or Carry a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (64 - 29) |
| Jan. 29, 2024 | SD | SB 54 | Increases Criteria to Qualify for Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses | Bill Passed - House (37 - 29) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 101 | Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - House (104 - 40) |
| March 4, 2019 | NY | S 2450 | Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages | Bill Passed - House (91 - 52) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2449 | Establishes a Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (108 - 36) |
| June 24, 2021 | DE | SB 7 | Requires Bond and Weapons Seizure for Those Facing Violent Crime Charges | Bill Passed - House (32 - 8) |
| June 8, 2021 | NY | S 7196 | Authorizes the State to Sue Gun Manufactures for Damages Caused by Guns | Bill Passed - House (94 - 55) |
| April 4, 2024 | TN | SB 1657 | Requires Annual Reports to the Governor on the Total Number of Firearm Injuries and Deaths per 100,000 | Bill Passed - House (58 - 28) |
| April 12, 2021 | MT | SB 283 | Specifies Response to Guns in Schools | Bill Passed - House (87 - 13) |
| Dec. 1, 2022 | OH | SB 185 | Prohibits Local Governments from Confiscating Firearms During Declared Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (57 - 22) |
| May 21, 2019 | TX | SB 535 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (86 - 53) |
| June 8, 2021 | NY | S 14A | Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns | Bill Passed - House (106 - 43) |
| Nov. 16, 2021 | PA | SB 565 | Expands Concealed Carry Laws | Bill Passed - House (107 - 92) |
| April 22, 2014 | FL | SB 424 | Prohibits Insurance Increases for Gun Owners | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
| Feb. 23, 2022 | ID | S 1262 | Expands Firearm Protections During Declared Disaster Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (58 - 9) |
| March 9, 2022 | WY | SF 102 | Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms | Bill Passed - House (43 - 15) |
| March 10, 2022 | MI | SB 11 | Limits Emergency Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 43) |
| April 25, 2022 | TN | SB 2628 | Authorizes Short-Barreled Shotguns | Bill Passed - House (80 - 7) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
| March 29, 2022 | MD | SB 387 | Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns | Bill Passed - House (92 - 41) |
| June 2, 2022 | NY | S 9458 | Requires License for Possession of Semi-Automatic Firearm | Bill Passed - House (102 - 47) |
| June 2, 2022 | NY | S 9113 | Expands Red Flag Law Relating to Potentially Violent Individuals | Bill Passed - House (119 - 30) |
| June 2, 2022 | NY | S 9407 | Prohibits Civilian Purchase of Bullet-Resistant Vests | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
| May 20, 2019 | NY | S 1414 | Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (122 - 22) |
| April 1, 2022 | GA | SB 479 | Amends Law Relating to Firearm Possession by Felons | Bill Passed - House (96 - 64) |
| May 1, 2019 | FL | SB 7030 | Authorizes Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - House (65 - 47) |
| July 6, 2017 | OR | SB 719 | Authorizes Court to Prohibit Suicidal Individuals from Owning Guns | Bill Passed - House (31 - 28) |
| May 5, 2023 | CO | SB 23-279 | Prohibits the Sale of Unserialized Firearms Commonly Known as "Ghost Guns" | Bill Passed - House (46 - 18) |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | LA | SB 1 | Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (76 - 28) |
| Feb. 27, 2024 | SD | SB 203 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission | Bill Passed - House (62 - 8) |
| March 4, 2019 | SD | SB 115 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital | Bill Passed - House (44 - 19) |
| March 1, 2019 | KY | SB 150 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| April 4, 2022 | GA | SB 259 | Amends Firearm Open Carry and Possession Laws | Bill Passed - House (94 - 67) |
| June 28, 2022 | DE | SB 302 | Establishes New Legal Regulations for Firearm Industry Members | Bill Passed - House (23 - 18) |