Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. 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, 2019 TX SB 406 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations for Local School Marshals Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
March 29, 2019 ND HB 1381 Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
March 29, 2019 ND HB 1332 Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
March 28, 2019 CO HB 19-1177 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 21, 2019 VT S 169 Establishes a 24-Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 11, 2019 WA SB 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
March 7, 2019 UT HB 114 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 6, 2019 OH HB 86 Amends Regulations for Firearm Length Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 5, 2019 HI SB 1466 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
March 4, 2019 NY S 2450 Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 22)
Feb. 20, 2019 SD SB 115 Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2019 NM SB 8 Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 20)
Feb. 13, 2019 NV SB 143 Expands Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
Jan. 29, 2019 NY S 2374 Amends Background Check Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
Jan. 29, 2019 NY S 2451 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
Jan. 29, 2019 NY S 2448 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
Jan. 29, 2019 NY S 2449 Establishes a Firearm Buyback Program Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
Jan. 29, 2019 NY S 101 Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
Jan. 22, 2019 SD SB 47 Authorizes Concealed Carry to Individuals Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 22, 2019 VA SB 1012 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Dec. 27, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
Dec. 6, 2018 OH HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Oct. 29, 2018 NJ S 2465 Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Oct. 3, 2018 PA HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
Aug. 21, 2018 CA AB 2103 Requires Concealed Carry Applicants Complete 8 Hours of Gun Safety Training Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 26, 2018 NJ S 2846 Authorizes Police to Carry High Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
June 7, 2018 NJ A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
May 30, 2018 IL SB 337 Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
May 30, 2018 IL HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
May 29, 2018 CA SB 1100 Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 8, 2018 CT HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
May 2, 2018 OK SB 1212 Establishes a State Firearm Constitutional Carry Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 9)
April 3, 2018 MD SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
March 30, 2018 VT S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 30, 2018 NY S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
March 18, 2018 IL HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
March 15, 2018 KS HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 9, 2018 WY HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
March 7, 2018 MS HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
March 5, 2018 FL SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
March 2, 2018 ID S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Feb. 22, 2018 OR HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2018 WA SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
Jan. 25, 2018 WA SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 28, 2017 PA SB 383 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
May 1, 2017 OR SB 719 Prohibits Individuals with Risk of Suicide from Owning Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 27, 2017 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 21)
April 19, 2017 LA SB 22 Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 12, 2017 AZ HB 2244 Establishes Reciprocity for Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 11, 2017 AL SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 4, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 29, 2017 MT HB 494 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 28, 2017 ND HB 1310 Amends Concealed Carry Laws Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27)
March 27, 2017 TX SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 4, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2017 AZ HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 15, 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 - Senate (57 - 43)
Jan. 19, 2017 NH SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO SB 656 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
June 30, 2016 CA SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 30, 2016 CA AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 27, 2016 NJ A 3689 Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4751 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/03 SB 406 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations for Local School Marshals Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
3/29 HB 1381 Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 12)
3/29 HB 1332 Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 14)
3/28 HB 19-1177 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/21 S 169 Establishes a 24-Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/11 SB 5434 Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
3/07 HB 114 Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/06 HB 86 Amends Regulations for Firearm Length Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/05 SB 1466 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 2)
3/04 S 2450 Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 22)
2/20 SB 115 Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/14 SB 8 Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 20)
2/13 SB 143 Expands Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
1/29 S 2374 Amends Background Check Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
1/29 S 2451 Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 21)
1/29 S 2448 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 14)
1/29 S 2449 Establishes a Firearm Buyback Program Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 13)
1/29 S 101 Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
1/22 SB 47 Authorizes Concealed Carry to Individuals Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/22 SB 1012 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
12/27 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
12/06 HB 228 Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
10/29 S 2465 Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
10/03 HB 2060 Requires Surrender of Firearms in Protection Abuse Situations Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
8/21 AB 2103 Requires Concealed Carry Applicants Complete 8 Hours of Gun Safety Training Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/26 S 2846 Authorizes Police to Carry High Capacity Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
6/07 A 1217 Authorizes Extreme Risk Protective Orders Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
6/07 A 2761 Prohibits Firearm Magazines with More than 10 Rounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
6/07 A 1181 Amends Various Firearm Confiscation Measures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
6/07 A 2757 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
6/07 A 2758 Requires Justifiable Need to Carry a Handgun Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
5/30 SB 337 Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
5/30 HB 2354 Authorizes Courts to Confiscate Firearms from Potentially Dangerous Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 11)
5/29 SB 1100 Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/08 HB 5542 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
5/02 SB 1212 Establishes a State Firearm Constitutional Carry Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 9)
4/03 SB 101 Amends Certain Definitions and Regulations for Crimes of Violence Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
3/30 S 55 Amends Various State Gun Laws Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/30 S 8121 Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
3/18 HB 1465 Establishes Age Limit for Purchase of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 22)
3/15 HB 2042 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18-20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/09 HB 168 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
3/07 HB 1083 Authorizes Concealed Carry on Public Property Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
3/05 SB 7026 Establishes the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/02 S 1313 Authorizes "Stand Your Ground" Policy Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
2/27 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
2/22 HB 4145 Prohibits Convicted Stalkers from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
2/09 SB 6298 Amends Definitions and Regulations for Domestic Violence Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
1/25 SB 5992 Prohibits Bump Stocks Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
11/08 SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/08 SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/15 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/28 SB 383 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
5/01 SB 719 Prohibits Individuals with Risk of Suicide from Owning Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/27 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 21)
4/19 SB 22 Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/12 HB 2244 Establishes Reciprocity for Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/11 SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/04 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/29 HB 494 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/28 HB 1310 Amends Concealed Carry Laws Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27)
3/27 SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/04 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/15 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 - Senate (57 - 43)
1/19 SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
9/14 SB 656 Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
6/30 SB 1235 Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 1674 Limits the Purchase of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/30 AB 1695 Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/30 AB 2607 Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/27 A 3689 Requires Justifiable Need for Firearm Permits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
6/20 S Amdt 4751 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)

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