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
March 6, 2024 OR SB 1503 Establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
March 5, 2024 SC H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 33)
March 5, 2024 WA HB 2118 Requires Gun Dealers Have Surveillance Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 39)
March 5, 2024 WY SF 111 Requires Separate Hunting Licenses and Seasons for Mule and Whitetail Deer Bill Failed - House (28 - 34)
March 4, 2024 WA SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 4, 2024 WA HB 1903 Requires Gun Owners Provide Notice to Law Enforcement Within 24 Hours of a Firearm Theft Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 40)
March 4, 2024 WA SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
March 4, 2024 OR SB 1503 Establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 1, 2024 WV HB 4782 Requires Municipalities Regulate Zoning Ordinances Equally for All Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
Feb. 29, 2024 LA SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
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)
Feb. 29, 2024 IA HF 2556 Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - House (84 - 11)
Feb. 29, 2024 TN HB 2882 Requires All Students Complete a Firearm Safety Training Course Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
Feb. 28, 2024 UT HB 119 Authorizes Incentives for Teachers to Conceal Carry in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2024 UT HB 84 Authorizes School Employees to Volunteer as Armed Guards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 9)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Bill Passed - House (74 - 30)
Feb. 28, 2024 WA HB 1903 Requires Gun Owners Provide Notice to Law Enforcement Within 24 Hours of a Firearm Theft Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 28, 2024 UT HB 119 Authorizes Incentives for Teachers to Conceal Carry in School Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2024 LA SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
Feb. 28, 2024 OH SB 148 Establishes the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2024 ME LD 2283 Establishes Various Red Flag Gun Purchase Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2024 WA HB 2118 Requires Gun Dealers Have Surveillance Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Feb. 27, 2024 WA SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
Feb. 27, 2024 WA SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
Feb. 27, 2024 SD SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2024 WY SF 111 Requires Separate Hunting Licenses and Seasons for Mule and Whitetail Deer Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
Feb. 27, 2024 WY HB 125 Repeals Gun-Free Zones in Wyoming Bill Passed - House (54 - 7)
Feb. 22, 2024 NH HB 1186 Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174)
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. 22, 2024 LA SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2024 AZ HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
Feb. 21, 2024 CO SB 24-066 Authorizes Tracking Gun and Ammunition Purchases Through Payment Networks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2024 WV HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 21, 2024 SD SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2024 WV HB 4782 Requires Municipalities Regulate Zoning Ordinances Equally for All Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Feb. 19, 2024 VA HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 15, 2024 NH SB 322 Requires a License Authorizing an Individual to Carry a Loaded Handgun in this State to Include Sellers Information "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2024 NH SB 360 Establishes a Procedure for Issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 15, 2024 NH SB 577 Establishes New Waiting Period for Purchase and Delivery of a Firearm "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 14, 2024 NM SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
Feb. 14, 2024 KY SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 12, 2024 NJ S 1425 Expands Culpability Requirements for Firearms Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2024 NM HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
Feb. 8, 2024 WV HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
Feb. 7, 2024 VA SB 2 Establishes a Class 1 Misdemeanor for the Sale, Manufacture, or Purchase of an Assault Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2024 VA SB 57 Prohibits Firearms in Any Restaurant that Serves Alcohol Regardless of a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 5, 2024 VA SB 99 Prohibits Open Carrying Semi-Automatic Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 2, 2024 NM HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2024 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
Feb. 1, 2024 SC H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2024 WA SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Jan. 31, 2024 WV SB 402 Authorizes the U.S. Concealed Carry Association to Provide Concealed Carry Classes in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 31, 2024 ID H 415 Authorizes Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Jan. 30, 2024 NM SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 16)
Jan. 29, 2024 SD SB 54 Increases Criteria to Qualify for Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - House (37 - 29)
Jan. 29, 2024 IN SB 14 Authorizes Handgun Usage in the State Capitol Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Jan. 26, 2024 VA HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
Jan. 18, 2024 WI SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 18, 2024 DE SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
Jan. 16, 2024 WI SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 16, 2024 SD HB 1024 Require Applications for Medical Cannabis Licenses have Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
Jan. 16, 2024 SD HB 1036 Requires Cannabis Dispensary's Post Public Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
Jan. 11, 2024 DE SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - House (35 - 3)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Nov. 9, 2023 MI HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Oct. 18, 2023 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
Sept. 14, 2023 CA SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
Sept. 12, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
Sept. 11, 2023 CA SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 9)
Sept. 7, 2023 CA AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 SB 1503 Establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
3/05 H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 33)
3/05 HB 2118 Requires Gun Dealers Have Surveillance Cameras Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 39)
3/05 SF 111 Requires Separate Hunting Licenses and Seasons for Mule and Whitetail Deer Bill Failed - House (28 - 34)
3/04 SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/04 HB 1903 Requires Gun Owners Provide Notice to Law Enforcement Within 24 Hours of a Firearm Theft Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 40)
3/04 SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/04 SB 1503 Establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/01 HB 4782 Requires Municipalities Regulate Zoning Ordinances Equally for All Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 10)
2/29 SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/29 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/29 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/29 HF 2556 Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - House (84 - 11)
2/29 HB 2882 Requires All Students Complete a Firearm Safety Training Course Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
2/28 HB 119 Authorizes Incentives for Teachers to Conceal Carry in School Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 13)
2/28 HB 84 Authorizes School Employees to Volunteer as Armed Guards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 9)
2/28 SB 2 Authorizes Immunity for Conceal Carry Permit Holders Bill Passed - House (74 - 30)
2/28 HB 1903 Requires Gun Owners Provide Notice to Law Enforcement Within 24 Hours of a Firearm Theft Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/28 HB 119 Authorizes Incentives for Teachers to Conceal Carry in School Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
2/28 SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (76 - 28)
2/28 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
2/28 SB 148 Establishes the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
2/28 LD 2283 Establishes Various Red Flag Gun Purchase Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
2/27 HB 2118 Requires Gun Dealers Have Surveillance Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
2/27 SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Bill Passed - House (58 - 36)
2/27 SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - House (63 - 33)
2/27 SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
2/27 SF 111 Requires Separate Hunting Licenses and Seasons for Mule and Whitetail Deer Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
2/27 HB 125 Repeals Gun-Free Zones in Wyoming Bill Passed - House (54 - 7)
2/22 HB 1186 Prohibits Firearm Dealers from Tracking Individual Gun or Ammunition Purchases "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (203 - 174)
2/22 HB 1050 Establishes a Second List of Individuals Prohibited from Buying Guns "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (179 - 200)
2/22 SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/22 HB 2843 Authorizes Individuals to Shoot Trespassers on Their Property Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
2/21 SB 24-066 Authorizes Tracking Gun and Ammunition Purchases Through Payment Networks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
2/21 HB 4299 Authorizes Teachers to Conceal Carry Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/21 SB 203 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry a Concealed Weapon on School Grounds with Permission Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/19 HB 4782 Requires Municipalities Regulate Zoning Ordinances Equally for All Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
2/19 HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/15 SB 322 Requires a License Authorizing an Individual to Carry a Loaded Handgun in this State to Include Sellers Information "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
2/15 SB 360 Establishes a Procedure for Issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
2/15 SB 577 Establishes New Waiting Period for Purchase and Delivery of a Firearm "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
2/14 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - House (35 - 34)
2/14 SB 20 Amends Previous Law to Try Juveniles as Adults for Gun-Related Felonies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/12 S 1425 Expands Culpability Requirements for Firearms Tracking Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/10 HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 18)
2/08 HB 4851 Authorizes Armed School Security Bill Passed - House (89 - 11)
2/07 SB 2 Establishes a Class 1 Misdemeanor for the Sale, Manufacture, or Purchase of an Assault Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/06 SB 57 Prohibits Firearms in Any Restaurant that Serves Alcohol Regardless of a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/05 SB 99 Prohibits Open Carrying Semi-Automatic Firearms in Public Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/02 HB 129 Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/01 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
2/01 H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
2/01 SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
1/31 SB 402 Authorizes the U.S. Concealed Carry Association to Provide Concealed Carry Classes in West Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/31 H 415 Authorizes Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
1/30 SB 5 Prohibits Fireams at State Drop Boxes and Polling Places Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 16)
1/29 SB 54 Increases Criteria to Qualify for Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses Bill Passed - House (37 - 29)
1/29 SB 14 Authorizes Handgun Usage in the State Capitol Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
1/26 HB 46 Requires Individuals Named Under Protective Orders to Hand Over Firearms Bill Passed - House (51 - 44)
1/18 SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/18 SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
1/16 SB 466 Prohibits Credit Card Companies from Requiring a Merchant Category Code that Identifies Firearms Retailers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/16 HB 1024 Require Applications for Medical Cannabis Licenses have Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (68 - 1)
1/16 HB 1036 Requires Cannabis Dispensary's Post Public Notice on the Federal Prohibition on Firearm Ownership While Using Cannabis Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
1/11 SB 276 Amends Penalties for Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone Bill Passed - House (35 - 3)
11/09 HB 4128 Prohibits Open Carrying at Ballot Drop Box Locations Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
11/09 HB 4127 Prohibits Open Carrying at Polling Places Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
10/18 H 4135 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
10/18 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - House (120 - 38)
9/14 SJR 7 Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures Joint Resolution Passed - House (53 - 17)
9/12 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
9/11 SB 2 Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms Bill Passed - House (54 - 23)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 17)
9/07 AB 1089 Prohibits 3-D Printed Firearms or "Ghost Guns" Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 9)
9/07 AB 28 Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)

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