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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 16, 2019 | IN | HB 1253 | Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
March 8, 2022 | IN | HB 1296 | Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Handgun | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
March 20, 2023 | IN | HB 1365 | Prohibits and Criminalizes "Machine-Gun Conversion" Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
Jan. 14, 2020 | IN | SB 69 | Authorizes Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7) |
Feb. 28, 2023 | IN | SB 343 | Amends Definitions of Machine-Guns for Increased Felony Penalties | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 10) |
Jan. 24, 2022 | IN | SB 19 | Prohibits Pointing, Discharging Firearm at Inspector General Investigator | (39 - 8) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Amends Firearm Buy-Back Program Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
Feb. 3, 2015 | IN | SB 433 | Authorizes Possession of Sawed-off Shotguns | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 6) |
Jan. 26, 2016 | IN | SB 259 | Authorizes General Assembly Employees to Carry Handguns in the Statehouse | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
Jan. 29, 2024 | IN | SB 14 | Authorizes Handgun Usage in the State Capitol | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | IN | SB 404 | Establishes Regulations for High-Fence Hunting Preserves | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 23) |
March 22, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
April 27, 2007 | KS | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
May 10, 2006 | KS | HB 2118 | Conceal and Carry | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 9) |
March 27, 2007 | KS | HB 2528 | Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
Feb. 9, 2006 | KS | SB 418 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
April 5, 2013 | KS | SB 102 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4) |
April 8, 2021 | KS | HB 2089 | Restructures Firearm Safety Education Training Programs for School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
March 15, 2018 | KS | HB 2042 | Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | KS | SB 45 | Authorizes Concealed Firearms Without a License | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
March 15, 2023 | KY | HB 153 | Prohibits Any Federal Ban or Regulation on Firearms Enacted in 2021 or After | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
Feb. 14, 2024 | KY | SB 20 | Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
Jan. 25, 2010 | KY | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |
May 21, 2008 | LA | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
July 20, 2021 | LA | SB 118 | Amends Laws Related to Concealed Carrying of Firearms | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | LA | SB 2 | Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 29, 2012 | LA | SB 303 | Limits Gun Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 4) |
June 6, 2023 | LA | SB 56 | Extends and Reinstates the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
May 29, 2020 | LA | HB 140 | Prohibits Localities from Establishing Restrictions to Prohibit Firearm Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3) |
June 4, 2023 | LA | HB 247 | Establishes a $500 Tax Credit for Individuals to Purchase Firearm Safety Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0) |
June 5, 2023 | LA | HB 464 | Prohibits Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felons | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
June 15, 2010 | LA | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
Feb. 22, 2024 | LA | SB 1 | Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
April 19, 2017 | LA | SB 22 | Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6) |
April 9, 2012 | LA | SB 303 | Limits Gun Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3) |
Feb. 1, 2024 | MA | H 4139 | Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3) |
July 18, 2024 | MA | H 4885 | Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5) |
March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
April 4, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
April 10, 2023 | MD | SB 1 | Prohibits Open Carry in the State and Restricts Places Where Firearms can be Carried | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
April 7, 2023 | MD | SB 858 | Defines Requirements Around Safe Storage of Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 12) |
April 3, 2018 | MD | SB 101 | Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7) |
April 7, 2023 | MD | HB 824 | Prohibits Certain Individuals on Probation from Receiving a Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13) |
March 9, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14) |
April 8, 2019 | MD | SB 737 | Amends Long Gun License Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14) |
March 11, 2021 | MD | SB 10 | Prohibits Individuals from Possessing a Firearm Within 100 Feet of a Polling Site | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13) |
Feb. 28, 2013 | MD | SB 281 | Amends Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 19) |
March 16, 2022 | MD | SB 387 | Prohibits the Sale of Ghost Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11) |
March 10, 2020 | MD | SB 35 | Amends Various Gun Laws Including Making Theft of a Firearm a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 15) |
June 19, 2013 | ME | LD 1240 | Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
April 17, 2024 | ME | LD 2086 | Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15) |
June 30, 2015 | ME | LD 652 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
April 17, 2024 | ME | LD 2224 | Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
April 12, 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 - Senate (22 - 12) |
June 14, 2023 | ME | LD 52 | Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13) |
July 25, 2023 | ME | LD 582 | Expands Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5) |
April 12, 2024 | ME | LD 2086 | Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | ME | LD 2283 | Establishes Various Red Flag Gun Purchase Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
May 24, 2006 | MI | Sub for HB 5192 | Hunting License Program and Firearms Age Restriction | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
June 6, 2006 | MI | HB 5143 | "Self-Defense Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
Dec. 13, 2012 | MI | SB 59 | Expands Areas Where Concealed Weapons are Authorized | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Feb. 26, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
Sept. 28, 2022 | MI | HB 6354 | Amends Law in Regard to Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
April 29, 2015 | MI | HB 4151 | Repeals Age Limit for Possession of an Air Gun | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
June 30, 2022 | MI | HB 4698 | Prohibits Making False Threats of Mass Shootings | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | MI | HB 4127 | Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Feb. 29, 2024 | MI | HB 4128 | Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Sept. 30, 2020 | MI | HB 4332 | Authorizes Use of Pneumatic Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 86 | Repeals Fee Requirements for Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
June 10, 2014 | MI | SB 789 | Amends Firearm Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
April 25, 2013 | MI | SJR S | Establishes a Constitutional Authorization for Individuals to Hunt and Fish | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 11) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 85 | Increases Penalties for False Statements in Support of Extreme Risk Protection Rrders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 84 | Prohibits Individuals with Extreme Risk Protection Orders from Purchasing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 83 | Establishes State Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 82 | Exempts Firearm Safety Devices from the State Use Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 81 | Exempts Firearm Safety Devices from the State Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
March 23, 2023 | MI | SB 80 | Increases Penalties for Crimes With Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
March 23, 2023 | MI | SB 79 | Establishes Penalties for Improper Firearm Storage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 78 | Amends Sentencing Guidelines for Weapons Charges | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
Feb. 3, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 77 | Amends Various State Handgun Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
March 16, 2023 | MI | SB 76 | Requires Safe Firearm Storage, Background Checks on Unlicensed Gun Sales and Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17) |
Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 586 | Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
Nov. 8, 2017 | MI | SB 366 | Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
March 4, 2021 | MI | SB 11 | Limits Emergency Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
May 9, 2024 | MN | HF 2609 | Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33) |
Feb. 23, 2012 | MN | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
April 23, 2015 | MN | SF 878 | Authorizes Gun Silencers and Expands Ex-Felon Voting Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 22) |
Sept. 14, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 12) |
May 13, 2016 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 8) |
May 15, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 8) |
May 14, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
May 2, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6) |
April 30, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
Feb. 20, 2014 | MO | SB 613 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearms Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |