Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
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:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 28, 2021 | IA | SJR 7 | Authorizes Referendum as to Keeping and Bearing of Arms | (58 - 41) |
| Jan. 27, 2021 | VA | HB 2276 | Classifies the Manufacture, Import, Sale, Transfer, and Possession of Certain Firearms as a Class 5 Felony | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
| Jan. 27, 2021 | VA | HB 2128 | Increases the Amount of Time for the State Department to Complete Firearm Background Checks | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
| Jan. 27, 2021 | VA | HB 1909 | Establishes Gun-Free Zones on School Board Property | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Jan. 26, 2021 | UT | HB 60 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Public Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| Jan. 25, 2021 | VA | HB 2081 | Prohibits the Possession of Firearms Within 40 Feet of a Polling Place | Bill Passed - House (53 - 47) |
| Jan. 21, 2021 | MT | HB 124 | Authorizes Shooting Big Game if it Collides with a Motor Vehicle | Bill Passed - House (58 - 41) |
| Jan. 14, 2021 | MT | HB 102 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Firearms in Public Settings Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
| Dec. 17, 2020 | OH | SB 175 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Bill Passed - House (52 - 31) |
| Aug. 25, 2020 | MO | HB 16 | Classifies Knowingly Transferring a Firearm to a Minor for the Purpose of Avoiding an Arrest or Investigation as a Felony | Bill Passed - House (99 - 49) |
| July 1, 2020 | HI | SB 3054 | Requires Gun Owners to Notify Police when Firearm is Moved out of State | Bill Passed - House (38 - 13) |
| June 24, 2020 | PA | HB 1747 | Limits the Governors Ability to Restrict Firearm Access During a Disaster Emergency | Bill Passed - House (127 - 74) |
| June 11, 2020 | CA | AB 2847 | Requires Microstamping Within Handguns | Bill Passed - House (52 - 20) |
| June 11, 2020 | OH | HB 425 | Repeals the Requirement that Handgun Owners Notify Police About Their Firearm When Stopped | Bill Passed - House (58 - 32) |
| May 22, 2020 | LA | HB 334 | Authorizes Concealed Handgun Permit Holders to Carry Inside Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (72 - 24) |
| May 20, 2020 | PA | HB 2440 | Classifies Shooting Ranges, Sportsman Clubs, Hunting Facilities, and Firearm Businesses as "Life-Sustaining" | Bill Passed - House (124 - 78) |
| May 15, 2020 | OK | SB 1081 | Prohibits Localities from Enacting "Red Flag" Firearm Ordinances | Bill Passed - House (77 - 14) |
| April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 479 | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 42) |
| April 2, 2020 | NY | S 7505 | Amends Criminal Justice Laws | Bill Passed - House (96 - 45) |
| March 12, 2020 | NH | HB 1285 | Prohibits Firearms on School Property | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (182 - 141) |
| March 5, 2020 | VA | SB 70 | Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46) |
| March 4, 2020 | MI | HB 5479 | Prohibits Gun Buyback Programs by Local Governments | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
| March 3, 2020 | WA | SB 5434 | Establishes Restrictions for Firearms in Daycare and Child Care Facilities | Bill Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 1083 | Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 9 | Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | ID | H 516 | Amends Constitutional Carry Laws | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | WY | HB 118 | Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act | Bill Passed - House (49 - 9) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | IA | HF 2502 | Amends Gun Policies | Bill Passed - House (52 - 44) |
| Feb. 27, 2020 | MN | HF 9 | Authorizes Extreme Risk Productive Orders | Bill Passed - House (68 - 62) |
| Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | NH | HB 1379 | Requires a Background Check for Firearm Sales | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (196 - 152) |
| Feb. 19, 2020 | NH | HB 1101 | Establishes a Waiting Period after Purchasing a Firearm | Bill Passed - House (184 - 134) |
| Feb. 13, 2020 | WA | HB 2467 | Establishes a Background Check System for Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | VA | HB 961 | Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
| Feb. 7, 2020 | KY | SB 8 | Requires School Districts Have Armed School Resource Officers | Bill Passed - House (78 - 8) |
| Feb. 4, 2020 | MD | HB 4 | Requires Background Checks for Private Sales of Long Guns | Bill Passed - House (87 - 47) |
| Jan. 30, 2020 | VA | HB 674 | Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
| Jan. 23, 2020 | WA | HB 1010 | Requires the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
| Jan. 14, 2020 | MI | HB 4020 | Authorizes the Sale of Stun Guns to Individuals Over the Age of 18 | Bill Passed - House (84 - 24) |
| Jan. 8, 2020 | NH | HB 687 | Establishes a Procedure for Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (201 - 176) |
| Dec. 16, 2019 | NJ | A 4260 | Prohibits the Sale of Certain Toy Guns or Imitation Firearms | Bill Passed - House (54 - 19) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | PA | SB 147 | Establishes Hunting Regulations on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (144 - 54) |
| Sept. 13, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| Sept. 11, 2019 | CA | SB 172 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - House (52 - 22) |
| June 27, 2019 | PA | SB 621 | Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards | Bill Passed - House (116 - 83) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 3897 | Prohibits Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes from Purchasing Guns | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | S 101 | Requires Firearm Retailers to Sell Personalized Handguns | Bill Passed - House (49 - 23) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5455 | Amends Ammunition Sale Regulations | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5453 | Increases Penalties for Illegal Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (59 - 10) |
| June 20, 2019 | NJ | A 5452 | Amends Firearm Identification and Training Requirements | Bill Passed - House (45 - 24) |
| June 19, 2019 | ME | LD 1811 | Requires Judicial Hearings and Evaluations for Individuals in Protective Custody Regarding Risk of Harm and Restricting Access to Dangerous Weapons | "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (135 - 9) |
| June 18, 2019 | ME | LD 1312 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | "Ought to Pass" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 82) |
| May 28, 2019 | CA | AB 1669 | Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees | Bill Passed - House (49 - 22) |
| May 24, 2019 | MI | HB 4434 | Amends Fines and Sentences for Conceal Carry Violations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 19) |
| May 21, 2019 | TX | SB 535 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - House (86 - 53) |
| May 20, 2019 | NY | S 1414 | Prohibits 3D Printed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (122 - 22) |
| May 10, 2019 | TX | HB 1143 | Authorizes Storage and Transportation of Firearms in School Parking Areas | (97 - 37) |
| May 8, 2019 | CT | HB 7223 | Prohibits Unlocked Vehicle Storage of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (98 - 48) |
| May 8, 2019 | TX | HB 1387 | Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry on School Property | Bill Passed - House (97 - 46) |
| May 6, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - House (54 - 17) |
| May 1, 2019 | FL | SB 7030 | Authorizes Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - House (65 - 47) |
| April 23, 2019 | WA | HB 1739 | Prohibits All Untraceable 3D Printed "Ghost Guns" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 40) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 153 | Prohibits the Negligent Storage of Firearms Around Minors | Bill Passed - House (32 - 9) |
| April 23, 2019 | OR | HB 2013 | Establishes Statewide Protocols for Firearm Removal from Domestic Abusers | Bill Passed - House (43 - 15) |
| April 23, 2019 | NV | AB 291 | Establishes Various Provisions to Increase Gun Safety | Bill Passed - House (28 - 13) |
| April 22, 2019 | IN | HB 1284 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 17) |
| April 8, 2019 | MO | HB 575 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (98 - 52) |
| April 8, 2019 | CA | AB 12 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - House (53 - 13) |
| April 4, 2019 | HI | SB 600 | Prohibits Individuals Younger than 21 from Bringing Firearms into the State | Bill Passed - House (37 - 12) |
| April 4, 2019 | NH | HB 564 | Authorizes Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (213 - 159) |
| April 2, 2019 | ND | HB 1332 | Authorizes Schools to Develop a Plan for an Armed First Responder | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 15) |
| March 27, 2019 | KS | HB 2326 | Reduces Concealed Carry Age | Bill Passed - House (83 - 41) |
| March 26, 2019 | DE | HB 63 | Amends Firearms Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - House (22 - 19) |
| March 18, 2019 | CA | AJR 5 | Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation | Bill Passed - House (54 - 21) |
| March 18, 2019 | MD | HB 786 | Amends Hunting Rifle and Shotgun Regulations | Bill Passed - House (90 - 49) |
| March 13, 2019 | OK | HB 2336 | Authorizes Handguns on the Premises of Schools | Bill Passed - House (72 - 25) |
| March 4, 2019 | NY | S 2450 | Increases Penalties for Improper Gun Storages | Bill Passed - House (91 - 52) |
| March 4, 2019 | SD | SB 115 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital | Bill Passed - House (44 - 19) |
| March 4, 2019 | NM | SB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| March 4, 2019 | AZ | HB 2693 | Repeals Requirement that Firearms be Unloaded on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| March 4, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1177 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (38 - 25) |
| March 1, 2019 | KY | SB 150 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry | Bill Passed - House (60 - 37) |
| Feb. 28, 2019 | National | HR 1112 | Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (228 - 198) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | OH | HB 86 | Amends Regulations for Firearm Length | Bill Passed - House (76 - 20) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | WV | HB 2519 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | National | HR 8 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 190) |
| Feb. 27, 2019 | KS | HB 2167 | Establishes System for Transfer of Certain Deer Hunting Permits to Nonresidents | Bill Passed - House (63 - 60) |
| Feb. 19, 2019 | ND | HB 1381 | Prohibits Government Funded Gun Buyback Programs | Bill Passed - House (66 - 26) |
| Feb. 18, 2019 | IN | HB 1253 | Authorizes Firearm Training for Teachers and School Staff | Bill Passed - House (72 - 25) |
| Feb. 15, 2019 | NV | SB 143 | Expands Background Checks for Private Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (28 - 13) |
| Feb. 13, 2019 | OK | HB 2597 | Authorizes State Constitutional Carry | Bill Passed - House (70 - 30) |
| Feb. 8, 2019 | NM | HB 8 | Requires Background Checks for Gun Sales | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2449 | Establishes a Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (108 - 36) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2374 | Amends Background Check Regulations | Bill Passed - House (85 - 52) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 2451 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - House (100 - 37) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | SD | SB 47 | Authorizes Concealed Carry to Individuals Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (47 - 23) |
| Jan. 29, 2019 | NY | S 101 | Prohibits Firearms on School Campuses | Bill Passed - House (104 - 40) |
| Dec. 27, 2018 | OH | HB 228 | Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules | Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 22) |
| Dec. 6, 2018 | OH | HB 228 | Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 22) |
| Nov. 14, 2018 | OH | HB 228 | Establishes New Self-Defense and Firearm Handling Rules | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |