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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
March 22, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
March 30, 2006 | NE | LB 454 | Concealed Handgun Permit Act | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
Jan. 26, 2006 | WI | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
Jan. 17, 2006 | WI | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
April 26, 2006 | AZ | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10) |
March 28, 2006 | ID | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
May 10, 2006 | KS | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
Feb. 28, 2006 | IN | HB 1028 | Firearms and Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
April 4, 2006 | AZ | HB 2074 | Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
April 11, 2006 | AZ | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
May 24, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 5192 | Hunting License Program and Firearms Age Restriction | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
March 2, 2006 | GA | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
March 1, 2006 | UT | HB 328 | Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
April 25, 2006 | OK | HCS HB 2615 | "Stand Your Ground Law" | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
March 8, 2006 | MS | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
Aug. 24, 2006 | CA | AB 352 | Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
June 28, 2006 | NH | SB 318 | Use of Deadly Force | Veto Override Failed - Senate (11 - 11) |
June 6, 2006 | MI | HB 5143 | "Self-Defense Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Feb. 23, 2007 | CO | SB 34 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
Feb. 28, 2007 | UT | 2SSB 251 | Concealed Firearms on College Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
July 29, 2005 | National | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
July 28, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1626 | Child Safety Lock Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
Feb. 20, 2007 | UT | SB 251 | Concealed Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
April 4, 2007 | VA | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14) |
Feb. 23, 2007 | UT | SB 78 | Firearm Regulations for Private Property | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
Jan. 17, 2008 | GA | HB 89 | Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
March 27, 2007 | KS | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
April 18, 2007 | IA | S 3371 | Firearms for Campus Police | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
April 27, 2007 | KS | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
March 13, 2007 | OK | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
April 19, 2007 | OK | SB 507 | Comprehensive tort reform-Provide | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
May 23, 2007 | CT | Sub SB 938 | Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
May 31, 2007 | TN | SB 2143 | Legalization of Handguns in State Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
Feb. 20, 2007 | AZ | SB 1251 | Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
May 9, 2007 | IL | SB 1007 | Large Capacity Firearm Magazine Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26) |
June 14, 2007 | DE | HB 175 | Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3) |
Jan. 16, 2008 | TN | SB 23 | Allowing Guns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Feb. 11, 2008 | VA | SB 436 | Concealed Weapons in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
Feb. 12, 2008 | VA | SB 476 | Prohibiting Drinking with a Concealed Weapon | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
Feb. 25, 2008 | National | S Amdt 4070 | Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership | Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11) |
March 19, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
Feb. 28, 2008 | WI | AB 581 | Gun Possession During Emergencies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
March 5, 2008 | WY | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
May 12, 2008 | AZ | HB 2629 | Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
April 3, 2008 | AZ | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
April 9, 2008 | FL | HB 503 | Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
April 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2630 | Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
June 27, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 5) |
May 19, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
May 21, 2008 | LA | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
May 29, 2008 | OH | SB 184 | Lethal Force Against Intruders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
July 13, 2006 | National | S Amdt 4615 | Firearm Confiscation Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 16) |
July 21, 1998 | National | S Amdt 3230 | Gun Lock Requirement Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 39) |
May 20, 1999 | National | S Amdt 362 | Gun Show Sale Regulation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
Aug. 19, 2008 | CA | SB 1171 | Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
March 2, 2004 | National | S 1805 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 90) |
Nov. 20, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 36) |
Nov. 17, 1993 | National | S Amdt 1152 | Prohibiting the Possession of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Amendment Adopted - Senate (56 - 43) |
June 26, 2009 | NJ | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Feb. 4, 2009 | VA | SB 1257 | Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
Feb. 25, 2009 | VA | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
April 16, 2009 | TN | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
May 12, 2009 | National | S Amdt 1067 | Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks | Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29) |
June 4, 2009 | TN | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
June 9, 2009 | WI | SB 167 | Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
June 16, 2009 | AZ | SB 1113 | Handguns in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
July 22, 2009 | National | S Amdt 1618 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39) |
Dec. 22, 2009 | National | S Amdt 3276 | Senate Health Care Bill Amendments | Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
Jan. 25, 2010 | KY | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
3/22 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
2/09 | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
3/30 | LB 454 | Concealed Handgun Permit Act | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12) |
1/26 | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
1/17 | SB 403 | Concealed Weapons | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
4/26 | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10) |
3/28 | H 630 | School Grounds - Violence | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
5/10 | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
2/28 | HB 1028 | Firearms and Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5) |
4/04 | HB 2074 | Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
4/11 | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
3/06 | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
5/24 | Sub for HB 5192 | Hunting License Program and Firearms Age Restriction | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
3/02 | SCS SB 396 | Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 13) |
3/01 | HB 328 | Eliminating The Age Requirement For Hunting Small Game | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
4/25 | HCS HB 2615 | "Stand Your Ground Law" | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 5) |
3/08 | HB 1089 | Wildlife Feeding Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12) |
8/24 | AB 352 | Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
6/28 | SB 318 | Use of Deadly Force | Veto Override Failed - Senate (11 - 11) |
6/06 | HB 5143 | "Self-Defense Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
2/23 | SB 34 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
2/28 | 2SSB 251 | Concealed Firearms on College Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
7/29 | S 397 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 31) |
7/28 | S Amdt 1626 | Child Safety Lock Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
2/20 | SB 251 | Concealed Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
4/04 | Sub HB 2348 | Extension of "Triggerman Rule" | Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 14) |
2/23 | SB 78 | Firearm Regulations for Private Property | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
1/17 | HB 89 | Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
3/27 | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
4/18 | S 3371 | Firearms for Campus Police | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 25) |
4/27 | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
3/13 | SB 507 | Firearm Injury Liability and Tort Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 5) |
4/19 | SB 507 | Comprehensive tort reform-Provide | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 23) |
5/23 | Sub SB 938 | Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
5/31 | SB 2143 | Legalization of Handguns in State Parks | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
2/20 | SB 1251 | Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
5/09 | SB 1007 | Large Capacity Firearm Magazine Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26) |
6/14 | HB 175 | Emergency Power to Seize Private Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3) |
1/16 | SB 23 | Allowing Guns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
2/11 | SB 436 | Concealed Weapons in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
2/12 | SB 476 | Prohibiting Drinking with a Concealed Weapon | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
2/25 | S Amdt 4070 | Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership | Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11) |
3/19 | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
2/28 | AB 581 | Gun Possession During Emergencies | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
3/05 | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
5/12 | HB 2629 | Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
4/03 | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
4/02 | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
4/09 | HB 503 | Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
4/23 | HB 2630 | Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
6/27 | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 5) |
5/19 | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
5/21 | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
5/29 | SB 184 | Lethal Force Against Intruders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
7/13 | S Amdt 4615 | Firearm Confiscation Prohibition Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 16) |
7/21 | S Amdt 3230 | Gun Lock Requirement Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 39) |
5/20 | S Amdt 362 | Gun Show Sale Regulation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
8/19 | SB 1171 | Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
3/02 | S 1805 | Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill | Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 90) |
11/20 | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 36) |
11/17 | S Amdt 1152 | Prohibiting the Possession of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Amendment Adopted - Senate (56 - 43) |
6/26 | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
2/04 | SB 1257 | Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
2/26 | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
2/25 | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
4/06 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
4/16 | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
5/12 | S Amdt 1067 | Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks | Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29) |
6/04 | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
6/09 | SB 167 | Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
6/16 | SB 1113 | Handguns in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
7/22 | S Amdt 1618 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39) |
12/22 | S Amdt 3276 | Senate Health Care Bill Amendments | Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
1/25 | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |