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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 10, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 189) |
| June 18, 1999 | National | HR 2122 | Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act | Bill Failed - House (147 - 280) |
| Sept. 26, 2006 | National | HR 5092 | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives | Bill Passed - House (277 - 131) |
| June 24, 2022 | National | S 2938 | Bipartisan Safer Communities Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (234 - 193) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | National | HR 2406 | Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (242 - 161) |
| March 11, 2021 | National | HR 8 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (227 - 203) |
| July 13, 2022 | National | HR 6538 | Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022 | Bill Passed - House (260 - 169) |
| March 11, 2021 | National | HR 1446 | Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (219 - 210) |
| March 17, 2021 | National | HR 1620 | Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (244 - 172) |
| July 29, 2022 | National | HR 1808 | Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 213) |
| Dec. 6, 2017 | National | HR 38 | Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 198) |
| Feb. 2, 2017 | National | H J Res 40 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 180) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | National | HR 1112 | Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 198) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | HR 8 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 190) |
| March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
| May 17, 2023 | National | HR 3091 | Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act | Bill Passed - House (232 - 198) |
| June 9, 2022 | National | HR 2377 | Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (224 - 202) |
| June 8, 2022 | National | HR 7910 | Protecting Our Kids Act | Bill Passed - House (223 - 204) |
| March 16, 2017 | National | HR 1181 | Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (240 - 175) |
| Nov. 16, 2011 | National | HR 822 | Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (272 - 154) |
| April 19, 2007 | NC | HB 573 | Concealed Weapons for Judges | Bill Passed - House (86 - 15) |
| March 29, 2023 | NC | SB 41 | Expands Conceal Carry Permits in School Zones | Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 45) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41) |
| May 5, 2021 | NC | HB 398 | Repeals Previous State Handgun Buying Requirements | Bill Passed - House (69 - 48) |
| March 26, 2017 | NC | HB 174 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services | Bill Passed - House (82 - 34) |
| March 10, 2021 | NC | HB 49 | Repeals Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Training Requirement in Some Cases | Bill Passed - House (79 - 41) |
| March 26, 2013 | NC | HB 17 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (97 - 20) |
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
| March 11, 2021 | NC | HB 134 | Authorizes Possession of Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (72 - 44) |
| March 30, 2011 | NC | HB 111 | Concealed Handguns in Restaurants and State Parks | Bill Passed - House (74 - 42) |
| Feb. 18, 2009 | ND | HB 1348 | Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses | Bill Passed - House (48 - 46) |
| Feb. 12, 2007 | ND | HB 1319 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - House (50 - 44) |
| April 19, 2021 | ND | HB 1383 | Prohibits State Enforcement of Federal Regulations on Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 12) |
| April 9, 2015 | ND | HB 1241 | Expands Locations Where Individuals Can Carry Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 19) |
| April 2, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | ND | HB 1157 | Authorizes Public Officials to Possess Firearms in Public Buildings | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | ND | HB 1215 | Authorizes Concealed Weapons in Schools | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
| Feb. 20, 2023 | ND | HB 1340 | Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing Stricter Gun Laws then Passed by the State | Bill Passed - House (83 - 10) |
| Feb. 21, 2017 | ND | HB 1169 | Establishes Updated Regulations for Concealed Carry of a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (83 - 9) |
| Feb. 17, 2021 | ND | HB 1272 | Prohibits the Distribution of all Guns, Accessories, and Ammunition Made in North Dakota Outside the State | Bill Passed - House (69 - 23) |
| April 26, 2006 | NH | SB 318 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (193 - 134) |
| Sept. 14, 2011 | NH | SB 88 | Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense | Veto Override Passed - House (251 - 111) |
| June 3, 2021 | NH | SB 141 | Rescinds the State Police "Gun Line" | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - House (197 - 180) |
| May 11, 2016 | NH | SB 336 | Amends Requirements to Obtain Concealed Carry License | Bill Passed - House (217 - 132) |
| April 29, 2015 | NH | SB 116 | Repeals License Requirement for Concealed Handguns | Bill Passed - House (212 - 150) |
| April 7, 2021 | NH | HB 195 | Exempts Display of a Firearm from the Definition of "Reckless Conduct" | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (198 - 169) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | NH | HB 1379 | Requires a Background Check for Firearm Sales | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (196 - 152) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1285 | Prohibits Firearms on School Property | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141) |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | NH | HB 1050 | Establishes a Second List of Individuals Prohibited from Buying Guns | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (179 - 200) |
| Feb. 25, 2021 | NH | HB 197 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (206 - 144) |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | NH | HB 1186 | Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174) |
| March 10, 2022 | NH | HB 1636 | Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Pistols, Revolvers on Certain Off-Highway Vehicles | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (204 - 134) |
| March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 451 | Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (226 - 144) |
| March 28, 2024 | NH | HB 1711 | Requires Closure of the State Gun Purchase Loophole | Bill Passed - House (204 - 149) |
| April 7, 2021 | NH | HB 307 | Establishes Pre-Emptive Measures Against Second Amendment Violations | Bill Passed - House (191 - 162) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1101 | Establishes a Waiting Period after Purchasing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (184 - 134) |
| April 7, 2021 | NH | CACR 8 | Prohibits Restrictions on the Right to Own, Carry, or Use Firearms | Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 174) |
| March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 135 | Repeals "Use of Deadly Force" Provision in Self-Defense Law | Bill Passed - House (189 - 184) |
| April 4, 2019 | NH | HB 564 | Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (213 - 159) |
| Jan. 8, 2020 | NH | HB 687 | Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (201 - 176) |
| March 24, 2010 | NH | HB 1693 | Prohibiting Legislative Facilities Committee From Adopting Additional Weapons Regulations | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 167) |
| March 15, 2011 | NH | HB 330 | Carrying Firearms Without a License | Bill Passed - House (244 - 109) |
| Jan. 5, 2012 | NH | HB 536 | Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (193 - 122) |
| Jan. 5, 2012 | NH | HB 194 | Authorizes Loaded Rifles and Shotguns in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (204 - 110) |
| Jan. 4, 2012 | NH | HB 334 | Authorizes Weapons on Public Property | Bill Passed - House (180 - 144) |
| June 23, 2008 | NJ | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - House (47 - 28) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 20) |
| May 22, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |
| May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| 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) |
| June 7, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 11) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 3897 | Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| June 29, 2022 | NJ | S 1204 | Expands Requirements for Firearm Registration | Bill Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| June 29, 2022 | NJ | S 2846 | Amends Firearm Manufacturing Violations from Third to Second Degree Crimes | Bill Passed - House (64 - 14) |
| March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
| Sept. 15, 2014 | NJ | A 2895 | Establishes a Statewide Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
| Nov. 21, 2022 | NJ | A 4769 | Establishes Gun Free Zones | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
| June 16, 2016 | NJ | A 3689 | Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits | Bill Passed - House (46 - 28) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2758 | Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun | Bill Passed - House (48 - 26) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1217 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Bill Passed - House (59 - 12) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 1181 | Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2761 | Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
| March 26, 2018 | NJ | A 2757 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (62 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| June 29, 2022 | NJ | A 4370 | Requires Gun Owners to Obtain a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Passed - House (50 - 22) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3748 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (45 - 29) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 1329 | Reduces Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - House (45 - 30) |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | NJ | A 3659 | Amends the Definition of Destructive Devices | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| March 15, 2017 | NM | SB 259 | Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| March 4, 2019 | NM | SB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| Feb. 14, 2024 | NM | SB 5 | Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places | Bill Passed - House (35 - 34) |
| Feb. 8, 2019 | NM | HB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |