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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 384 | Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School | Bill Failed - House (45 - 53) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | NM | HB 316 | Prohibits Animal Killing Contests | Bill Failed - House (30 - 38) |
Feb. 6, 2013 | MT | HB 27 | Authorizes the Use of Silencers While Hunting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 205 | Authorizes Use of Suppressors for Hunting | Bill Passed - House (61 - 37) |
Feb. 25, 2013 | ND | HB 1215 | Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
Feb. 26, 2013 | UT | HB 121 | Authorizes Individuals to Voluntarily Commit Guns to Law Enforcement Agencies | Bill Passed - House (44 - 28) |
April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
March 8, 2013 | AR | HB 1329 | Reduces Concealed Carry License Application Fee | Bill Failed - House (31 - 52) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2055 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns Inside State Capitol and School Buildings | Bill Passed - House (84 - 38) |
March 14, 2013 | KS | HB 2199 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Within the State of Kansas | Bill Passed - House (94 - 29) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | WY | HB 41 | Reduces Limitations on Hunting Bison | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 11) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 2021 | Exempts Certain Firearms from Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (79 - 12) |
March 15, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 27) |
March 7, 2013 | GA | HB 512 | Amends Provisions Relating to Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - House (117 - 56) |
March 19, 2013 | AR | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (78 - 9) |
March 12, 2013 | OK | HB 1062 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Handguns on School Property | Bill Passed - House (68 - 23) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | UT | HB 268 | Redefines Disorderly Conduct Regarding Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 12) |
March 1, 2013 | UT | HB 76 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of a Firearm Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
April 3, 2013 | CT | SB 1160 | Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (105 - 44) |
March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 135 | Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law | Bill Passed - House (189 - 184) |
March 28, 2013 | DE | HB 35 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 304 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 451 | Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (226 - 144) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2326 | Prohibits Identifying Information of Firearm Owners from Being Maintained | Bill Passed - House (46 - 13) |
May 17, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27) |
April 11, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |
April 15, 2013 | IN | SB 487 | Establishes Regulations for Hunting Preserves | Bill Passed - House (52 - 39) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (96 - 24) |
May 8, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38) |
April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
April 23, 2013 | OR | HB 2624 | Exempts Counties from Hunting Dog Prohibitions if Approved by County Voters | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
April 18, 2013 | CA | SB 140 | Appropriates Funds to the Armed Prohibited Persons System | Bill Passed - House (65 - 10) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
June 3, 2013 | NV | SB 221 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (23 - 19) |
April 23, 2013 | LA | HB 8 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (76 - 18) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | SB 374 | Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
March 11, 2013 | ID | H 219 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
May 2, 2013 | AL | SB 286 | Amends Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (74 - 27) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 972 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 41) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | SB 864 | Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training | Bill Passed - House (116 - 30) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1009 | Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools | Bill Passed - House (123 - 22) |
March 11, 2013 | TN | HB 9 | Prohibits Disclosure of Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (84 - 10) |
May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1076 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
May 7, 2013 | TX | HB 928 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used for the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (101 - 31) |
April 24, 2013 | LA | HB 265 | Establishes Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 19) |
March 7, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
April 30, 2013 | AL | HB 8 | Requires Courts to Apply "Strict Scrutiny" to Certain Firearm Regulation Laws | Bill Passed - House (76 - 22) |
May 21, 2013 | KS | HB 2162 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
April 23, 2013 | LA | HB 5 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
June 19, 2013 | ME | LD 1240 | Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks | Bill Passed - House (78 - 71) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49) |
July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 396 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Failed - House (35 - 34) |
May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24) |
Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
March 26, 2013 | NC | HB 17 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (97 - 20) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 711 | Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 755 | Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
July 9, 2013 | IL | HB 183 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms | Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 31) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | VA | HB 1237 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
March 6, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
Feb. 28, 2014 | KY | HB 351 | Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims | Bill Passed - House (79 - 13) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
March 20, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58) |
March 11, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54) |
Jan. 23, 2014 | SC | SB 308 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18) |
March 10, 2014 | OK | HB 2329 | Authorizes Storage of a Handgun in a Secure Motor Vehicle on School Property | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
April 3, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 41) |
March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - House (93 - 24) |
March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2339 | Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
April 5, 2014 | KS | HB 2578 | Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19) |
March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
April 22, 2014 | FL | SB 424 | Prohibits Insurance Increases for Gun Owners | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
May 22, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |
April 2, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Bill Passed - House (76 - 15) |
April 11, 2014 | FL | HB 209 | Authorizes Carrying Firearms During an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - House (98 - 17) |
May 28, 2014 | CA | AB 1609 | Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
April 28, 2014 | FL | HB 753 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (71 - 44) |
April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24) |
Jan. 22, 2014 | OH | HB 8 | Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (63 - 29) |
March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
April 24, 2014 | MO | HB 2126 | Expands the Legal Use of "Deadly Force" | Bill Passed - House (122 - 30) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39) |
May 16, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 28) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |