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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - House (78 - 61) |
| March 29, 2022 | MD | SB 387 | Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns | Bill Passed - House (92 - 41) |
| April 4, 2023 | MD | SB 185 | Requires Maryland State Police Gun Center Track All Firearms Surrendered Through Final Protective Orders | Bill Passed - House (112 - 20) |
| March 12, 2016 | MD | HB 1002 | Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (81 - 54) |
| March 18, 2019 | MD | HB 786 | Amends Hunting Rifle and Shotgun Regulations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| March 15, 2018 | MD | HB 888 | Prohibits Certain Firearms Accessories | Bill Passed - House (128 - 7) |
| Feb. 4, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| April 27, 2006 | ME | LD 1938 | Notification Requirements for Certain Firearm Purchases | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (68 - 77) |
| June 19, 2013 | ME | LD 1240 | Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks | Bill Passed - House (78 - 71) |
| April 17, 2024 | ME | LD 2086 | Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 68) |
| April 15, 2024 | ME | LD 1696 | Establishes a Cause of Action for Persons Suffering Damages Arising from Illegal Sale of Marketing of Firearms | (71 - 69) |
| April 16, 2024 | ME | LD 2086 | Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (73 - 72) |
| June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 82) |
| June 19, 2019 | ME | LD 1811 | Requires Judicial Hearings and Evaluations for Individuals in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (135 - 9) |
| April 16, 2024 | ME | LD 2224 | Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System | Bill Passed - House (75 - 68) |
| April 11, 2024 | ME | LD 2119 | Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (82 - 66) |
| June 13, 2023 | ME | LD 52 | Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (76 - 67) |
| Feb. 19, 2013 | ME | LD 576 | Prohibits the Public Access of Concealed Handgun Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (129 - 11) |
| March 12, 2012 | ME | LD 1603 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| Dec. 11, 2008 | MI | SB 505 | Authorizing Judges to Carry Concealed Weapons in Courtrooms | Bill Passed - House (80 - 18) |
| April 25, 2006 | MI | Sub H-1 | Self Defense Bill/ Deadly Force Bill | Bill Passed - House (90 - 16) |
| March 21, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 5192 | Hunting License Program and Firearms Age Restriction | Bill Passed - House (86 - 17) |
| Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Bill Passed - House (68 - 41) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (76 - 34) |
| March 10, 2022 | MI | SB 11 | Limits Emergency Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 43) |
| Sept. 21, 2022 | MI | HB 6354 | Amends Law in Regard to Hunting | (73 - 33) |
| Jan. 14, 2020 | MI | HB 4020 | Authorizes the Sale of Stun Guns to Individuals Over the Age of 18 | Bill Passed - House (84 - 24) |
| June 7, 2017 | MI | HB 4416 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Firearms Without Permits | Bill Passed - House (59 - 49) |
| May 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4434 | Amends Fines and Sentences for Conceal Carry Violations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 19) |
| March 4, 2020 | MI | HB 5479 | Prohibits Gun Buyback Programs by Local Governments | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | HB 4128 | Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | MI | HB 4127 | Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
| Feb. 29, 2012 | MN | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 47) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | MN | HF 9 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Productive Orders | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| May 3, 2024 | MN | HF 2609 | Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony | Bill Passed - House (71 - 59) |
| May 2, 2024 | MN | HF 4300 | Establishes Firearm Safe Storage Requirements | Bill Passed - House (68 - 64) |
| April 29, 2024 | MN | HF 601 | Requires Lost or Stolen Firearms be Reported to Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (68 - 63) |
| April 12, 2006 | MO | HA 9 | Eminent Domain | Amendment Rejected - House (23 - 129) |
| April 16, 2009 | MO | HB 668 | Firearm Regulation Amendments | Bill Passed - House (105 - 50) |
| Feb. 4, 2021 | MO | HB 85 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (103 - 43) |
| Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 41) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49) |
| May 16, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 28) |
| May 13, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - House (114 - 36) |
| May 8, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38) |
| May 17, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27) |
| April 3, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 41) |
| Aug. 25, 2020 | MO | HB 16 | Classifies Knowingly Transferring a Firearm to a Minor for the Purpose of Avoiding an Arrest or Investigation as a Felony | Bill Passed - House (99 - 49) |
| March 10, 2022 | MO | HB 1481 | Establishes New Provisions for School Protection Officers | Bill Passed - House (98 - 17) |
| March 8, 2021 | MO | HB 52 | Establishes That Those With Concealed Carry Permits May Bring Their Guns On Public Transportation | Bill Passed - House (124 - 32) |
| April 18, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (115 - 41) |
| April 11, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (126 - 25) |
| April 8, 2019 | MO | HB 575 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (98 - 52) |
| April 24, 2014 | MO | HB 2126 | Expands the Legal Use of "Deadly Force" | Bill Passed - House (122 - 30) |
| March 31, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51) |
| Feb. 21, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 47) |
| Feb. 3, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| March 27, 2023 | MS | SB 2079 | Authorizes School Employees to Concealed Carry | Conference Report Adopted - House (79 - 32) |
| April 25, 2024 | MS | HB 903 | Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 12) |
| March 8, 2021 | MS | SB 2107 | Prohibits Cities and Counties from Creating Rental Agreements that Restrict Firearm Access | Bill Passed - House (82 - 34) |
| Feb. 3, 2022 | MS | HB 1418 | Establishes Second Amendment Preservation Act | (83 - 35) |
| Feb. 9, 2023 | MS | HB 1105 | Authorizes Certain Government Employees of the Secretary of State to Carry Firearms | Bill Passed - House (89 - 21) |
| Feb. 17, 2016 | MS | HB 786 | Authorizes Designated Individuals to Carry Firearms in Church | Bill Passed - House (85 - 33) |
| Feb. 7, 2018 | MS | HB 1083 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property | Bill Passed - House (80 - 29) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | MS | HB 782 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Law Relating to Firearms | Bill Passed - House (75 - 46) |
| April 9, 2009 | MT | HB 228 | Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14) |
| April 12, 2011 | MT | HB 271 | Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 29) |
| April 26, 2021 | MT | HB 504 | Prohibits Peace Officers from Curtailing the Possession of Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| April 17, 2023 | MT | SB 359 | Prohibits the Tracking of Firearms Sales by Financial Institutions | Bill Passed - House (69 - 28) |
| April 12, 2021 | MT | SB 283 | Specifies Response to Guns in Schools | Bill Passed - House (87 - 13) |
| Jan. 21, 2021 | MT | HB 124 | Authorizes Shooting Big Game if it Collides with a Motor Vehicle | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MT | HB 298 | Amends Concealed Weapons Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | HB 250 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 16, 2023 | MT | HB 356 | Prohibits the State from Contracting with Companies that Discriminate Against Firearms | Bill Passed - House (67 - 31) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | MT | HB 304 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| 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. 27, 2013 | MT | HB 384 | Authorizes Students to Bring Firearms to School | Bill Failed - House (45 - 53) |
| Feb. 23, 2013 | MT | HB 240 | Authorizes Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
| Jan. 14, 2021 | MT | HB 102 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Firearms in Public Settings Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | MT | HB 384 | Concealed Weapons in Prohibited Places | Bill Passed - House (52 - 47) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | MT | HB 381 | Criminalizing Enforcement of Certain Federal Firearms Laws | Bill Failed - House (38 - 61) |
| Feb. 22, 2011 | MT | HB 271 | Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (54 - 41) |
| Feb. 10, 2009 | MT | HB 228 | Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| June 18, 1999 | National | H Amdt 216 | 72 Hour Background Check Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 235) |
| June 18, 1999 | National | H Amdt 215 | 24 Hour Background Check Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 211) |
| Nov. 10, 1993 | National | H Amdt 390 | Instant Background Checks for Gun Purchase Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 192) |
| June 28, 2006 | National | H Amdt 1156 | Trigger Lock Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 191) |
| Nov. 23, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (238 - 187) |
| May 20, 2009 | National | HR 627 | Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 147) |
| April 9, 2003 | National | HR 1036 | Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act | Bill Passed - House (285 - 140) |
| Sept. 17, 2008 | National | HR 6842 | Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban | Bill Passed - House (266 - 152) |
| May 5, 1994 | National | HR 4296 | Regulation of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Bill Passed - House (216 - 214) |
| March 22, 1996 | National | HR 125 | Gun Ban Repeal Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (239 - 173) |
| July 10, 2002 | National | HR 4635 | Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act | Bill Passed - House (310 - 113) |
| Oct. 20, 2005 | National | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - House (283 - 144) |
| July 28, 2010 | National | HR 5827 | Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes | Bill Passed - House (307 - 113) |
| Feb. 24, 1998 | National | HR 424 | Minimum Sentences for Gun Crimes | Bill Passed - House (350 - 59) |