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 9, 2012 | LA | SB 303 | Limits Gun Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| March 19, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
| March 12, 2012 | ME | LD 1603 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| March 12, 2012 | KS | HB 2353 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Handguns in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (70 - 54) |
| March 6, 2012 | AZ | HB 2729 | Authorizes Guns in Certain Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| March 2, 2012 | OR | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 6) |
| March 1, 2012 | OR | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| March 1, 2012 | OR | SB 1594 | Prohibits weapons on school grounds | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15) |
| Feb. 29, 2012 | MN | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 47) |
| Feb. 29, 2012 | IA | HJR 2009 | Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | MN | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
| Feb. 21, 2012 | UT | HB 49 | Authorizing the Concealed or Open Possession of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (50 - 21) |
| Feb. 20, 2012 | VA | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 20, 2012 | CO | HB 1064 | Prohibits Gun Restrictions During Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | OR | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Bill Passed - House (44 - 14) |
| Feb. 13, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| Feb. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| Feb. 6, 2012 | VA | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Jan. 26, 2012 | VA | SB 464 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 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) |
| Nov. 16, 2011 | National | HR 822 | Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (272 - 154) |
| Sept. 14, 2011 | NH | SB 88 | Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense | Veto Override Passed - House (251 - 111) |
| Sept. 7, 2011 | NH | SB 88 | Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| July 14, 2011 | CA | SB 249 | Prohibits Firearms with Detachable Magazines | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
| June 21, 2011 | WI | SB 93 | Weapons Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| June 15, 2011 | OH | SB 17 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Alcohol Vendors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| June 15, 2011 | OH | SB 17 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Alcohol Vendors | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| June 14, 2011 | WI | SB 93 | Weapons Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| June 6, 2011 | OR | SB 347 | Exemptions from Disclosure of Public Records | Bill Passed - House (46 - 12) |
| May 16, 2011 | CA | AB 144 | Concealed Weapons Bill | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| May 9, 2011 | TX | SB 1581 | Concealed Handguns on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| May 4, 2011 | FL | SB 234 | Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (99 - 17) |
| April 28, 2011 | MT | HB 271 | Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | HB 45 | Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| April 28, 2011 | FL | SB 234 | Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| April 26, 2011 | FL | HB 45 | Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition | Bill Passed - House (85 - 33) |
| April 20, 2011 | AZ | SB 1610 | Official State Gun | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| April 18, 2011 | IN | SB 292 | Prohibits Local Limits on Gun Ownership | Bill Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| April 13, 2011 | IL | HB 203 | Limit on Sale of Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Failed - House (47 - 68) |
| April 12, 2011 | MT | HB 271 | Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 29) |
| April 12, 2011 | OK | S Amdt 1 | Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| April 12, 2011 | IL | HB 3499 | Firearm Waiting Period Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 34) |
| April 9, 2011 | AK | HB 80 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/09 | SB 303 | Limits Gun Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| 3/19 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
| 3/12 | LD 1603 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
| 3/12 | HB 2353 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Handguns in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (70 - 54) |
| 3/06 | HB 2729 | Authorizes Guns in Certain Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (37 - 21) |
| 3/02 | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 6) |
| 3/01 | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
| 3/01 | SB 1594 | Prohibits weapons on school grounds | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15) |
| 2/29 | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 47) |
| 2/29 | HJR 2009 | Prohibiting Mandatory Licensing and Registration of Guns | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 37) |
| 2/28 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 2/23 | HF 1467 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
| 2/22 | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
| 2/21 | HB 49 | Authorizing the Concealed or Open Possession of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (50 - 21) |
| 2/20 | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 2/20 | HB 1064 | Prohibits Gun Restrictions During Emergencies | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| 2/15 | HB 4045 | Prohibits Disclosure of the Names of Licensed Concealed Handgun Carriers | Bill Passed - House (44 - 14) |
| 2/13 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| 2/13 | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 2/09 | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
| 2/09 | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
| 2/06 | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 2/01 | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| 1/26 | SB 464 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
| 1/05 | HB 536 | Repeals License Requirement to Carry a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (193 - 122) |
| 1/05 | HB 194 | Authorizes Loaded Rifles and Shotguns in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (204 - 110) |
| 1/04 | HB 334 | Authorizes Weapons on Public Property | Bill Passed - House (180 - 144) |
| 11/16 | HR 822 | Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (272 - 154) |
| 9/14 | SB 88 | Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense | Veto Override Passed - House (251 - 111) |
| 9/07 | SB 88 | Civil Immunity from Acts of Self Defense | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
| 7/14 | SB 249 | Prohibits Firearms with Detachable Magazines | Bill Passed - House (48 - 21) |
| 6/21 | SB 93 | Weapons Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (68 - 27) |
| 6/15 | SB 17 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Alcohol Vendors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| 6/15 | SB 17 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Alcohol Vendors | Bill Passed - House (56 - 39) |
| 6/14 | SB 93 | Weapons Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
| 6/06 | SB 347 | Exemptions from Disclosure of Public Records | Bill Passed - House (46 - 12) |
| 5/16 | AB 144 | Concealed Weapons Bill | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| 5/09 | SB 1581 | Concealed Handguns on Campus | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| 5/04 | SB 234 | Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (99 - 17) |
| 4/28 | HB 271 | Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 4/28 | HB 45 | Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| 4/28 | SB 234 | Authorizes Open Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 4/26 | HB 45 | Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition | Bill Passed - House (85 - 33) |
| 4/20 | SB 1610 | Official State Gun | Bill Passed - House (32 - 25) |
| 4/18 | SB 292 | Prohibits Local Limits on Gun Ownership | Bill Passed - House (77 - 21) |
| 4/13 | HB 203 | Limit on Sale of Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Bill Failed - House (47 - 68) |
| 4/12 | HB 271 | Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit | Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 29) |
| 4/12 | S Amdt 1 | Removes Provision Authorizing Legislators to Carry Firearms | Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 4/12 | HB 3499 | Firearm Waiting Period Exemptions | Bill Passed - House (78 - 34) |
| 4/09 | HB 80 | Expands the Use of Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (33 - 6) |