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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 15, 2016 | VA | HB 1234 | Authorizes School Security Officers to Carry Firearms | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | VA | HB 1096 | Prohibits Regulation of Firearms without Legislative Authorization | Bill Passed - House (63 - 35) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | HB 560 | Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear | Bill Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| Feb. 8, 2016 | WV | HB 4145 | Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | FL | HB 4001 | Authorizes Open-Carry on State College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (80 - 37) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | FL | HB 163 | Authorizes Open Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (80 - 38) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | VA | HB 766 | Authorizes Individual with Restraining Order to Carry Concealed Gun without Permit | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
| Nov. 17, 2015 | OH | HB 48 | Amends Provisions Concerning Concealed Carry of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
| Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
| May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 46) |
| May 31, 2015 | IL | HB 352 | Authorizes Bobcat Hunting | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (55 - 54) |
| May 27, 2015 | TX | SB 11 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 44) |
| May 22, 2015 | NV | SB 175 | Amends Justifiable Homicide and Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| May 1, 2015 | CO | SB 213 | Limits Immunity for Public Schools in Incidents of School Violence | Bill Passed - House (43 - 21) |
| April 29, 2015 | NH | SB 116 | Repeals License Requirement for Concealed Handguns | Bill Passed - House (212 - 150) |
| April 20, 2015 | TX | HB 910 | Authorizes Open Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - House (101 - 42) |
| April 16, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 25) |
| April 15, 2015 | NV | AB 121 | Prohibits Disciplining Students for Simulating Firearms | Bill Passed - House (24 - 17) |
| April 13, 2015 | TN | SB 1110 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Gun Laws | Bill Passed - House (74 - 20) |
| April 9, 2015 | ND | HB 1241 | Expands Locations Where Individuals Can Carry Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 19) |
| April 9, 2015 | FL | SB 290 | Authorizes Concealed Carry During Emergency Evacuations | Bill Passed - House (86 - 26) |
| April 6, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 17) |
| April 6, 2015 | NV | AB 148 | Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
| March 30, 2015 | TN | HB 995 | Authorizes Firearms in Public Parks | Bill Passed - House (65 - 21) |
| March 25, 2015 | KS | SB 45 | Authorizes Concealed Firearms Without a License | Bill Passed - House (85 - 39) |
| March 23, 2015 | TN | SB 1058 | Prohibits the Termination of Employees for Storing Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - House (78 - 14) |
| March 12, 2015 | WV | SB 347 | Repeals the Requirement of a License for Concealed Guns | Bill Passed - House (71 - 29) |
| March 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2320 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Concealed Weapons in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House |
| March 12, 2015 | AZ | HB 2431 | Establishes an Interstate Compact to Regulate Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| Feb. 25, 2015 | MI | SB 34 | Amends Concealed Carry Licensing Procedures | Bill Passed - House (76 - 34) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | AZ | HB 2509 | Amends Aggravated Assault Classifications | Bill Passed - House (37 - 23) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | ND | HB 1157 | Authorizes Public Officials to Possess Firearms in Public Buildings | Bill Failed - House (45 - 47) |
| Feb. 19, 2015 | MT | HB 298 | Amends Concealed Weapons Regulations | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | SD | HB 1116 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
| Feb. 9, 2015 | MT | HB 203 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (58 - 42) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | MT | HB 250 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Firearms to Hunt Non-Protected Animals | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | SD | HB 1096 | Requires Background Check for Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
| Feb. 2, 2015 | WY | HB 114 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Certain Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| Dec. 10, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 21) |
| Oct. 20, 2014 | PA | HB 80 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (138 - 56) |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | PA | HB 1243 | Authorizes Civil Action against Local Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (143 - 54) |
| Sept. 15, 2014 | NJ | A 2895 | Establishes a Statewide Firearm Buyback Program | Bill Passed - House (53 - 22) |
| Sept. 10, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Veto Override Passed - House (117 - 39) |
| Aug. 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 28) |
| Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| July 31, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (122 - 30) |
| July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
| July 9, 2014 | MA | H 4278 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (112 - 38) |
| May 28, 2014 | CA | AB 1609 | Establishes Requirements for Out of State Firearms Transfers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 25) |
| May 22, 2014 | NJ | A 2006 | Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 34) |
| May 16, 2014 | MO | SB 656 | Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 28) |
| April 28, 2014 | FL | HB 753 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (71 - 44) |
| April 24, 2014 | MO | HB 2126 | Expands the Legal Use of "Deadly Force" | Bill Passed - House (122 - 30) |
| April 22, 2014 | FL | SB 424 | Prohibits Insurance Increases for Gun Owners | Bill Passed - House (74 - 44) |
| April 11, 2014 | FL | HB 209 | Authorizes Carrying Firearms During an Emergency | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
| April 9, 2014 | LA | HB 72 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Weapons in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
| April 5, 2014 | KS | HB 2578 | Prohibits a City or County from Regulating Firearms | Conference Report Adopted - House (102 - 19) |
| April 3, 2014 | MO | HB 1439 | Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (110 - 41) |
| April 2, 2014 | OH | HB 234 | Authorizes Noise Suppressors on Certain Firearms | Bill Passed - House (76 - 15) |
| March 20, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 58) |
| March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 89 | Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault | Bill Passed - House (93 - 24) |
| March 20, 2014 | NJ | A 2777 | Amends Firearm Transportation Laws | Bill Passed - House (43 - 29) |
| March 20, 2014 | FL | HB 7029 | Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play | Bill Passed - House (98 - 17) |
| March 13, 2014 | IN | SB 229 | Authorizes the Concealed Possession of Firearms on School Property | Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 24) |
| March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| March 12, 2014 | AZ | HB 2339 | Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - House (34 - 22) |
| March 11, 2014 | GA | HB 60 | Amends Firearm Laws | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 54) |
| March 10, 2014 | OK | HB 2329 | Authorizes Storage of a Handgun in a Secure Motor Vehicle on School Property | Bill Passed - House (76 - 17) |
| March 6, 2014 | ID | S 1254 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms on College or University Campuses | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
| Feb. 28, 2014 | KY | HB 351 | Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims | Bill Passed - House (79 - 13) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| Feb. 18, 2014 | GA | HB 875 | Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations | Bill Passed - House (119 - 56) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
| Jan. 28, 2014 | VA | HB 1237 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
| Jan. 23, 2014 | SC | SB 308 | Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18) |
| Jan. 22, 2014 | OH | HB 8 | Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property | Bill Passed - House (63 - 29) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 396 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Failed - House (35 - 34) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 755 | Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
| Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 711 | Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 29) |
| Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | SB 374 | Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
| July 23, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 41) |
| July 9, 2013 | IL | HB 183 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of Firearms | Veto Override Passed - House (77 - 31) |
| June 24, 2013 | NJ | S 2723 | Amends Firearm Identification Card Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 34) |
| June 19, 2013 | ME | LD 1240 | Establishes Penalties for Unauthorized Private Gun Sales and Requires Background Checks | Bill Passed - House (78 - 71) |
| June 3, 2013 | NV | SB 221 | Requires Background Checks Prior to the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - House (23 - 19) |
| May 29, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large Capacity Magazines | Bill Passed - House (46 - 26) |
| May 21, 2013 | KS | HB 2162 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations | Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28) |
| May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3796 | Requires an Individual to Dispose of Unauthorized Firearms Within a Certain Time Period | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 24) |
| May 20, 2013 | NJ | A 3797 | Requires Certain Firearm Information to be Collected and Reported | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
| May 17, 2013 | MO | HB 533 | Authorizes State Employees to Keep Firearms in Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (125 - 27) |
| May 8, 2013 | MO | HB 436 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (116 - 38) |
| May 7, 2013 | NC | HB 937 | Amends Firearm Laws | Bill Passed - House (78 - 42) |
| May 7, 2013 | TX | HB 928 | Prohibits State Funds from Being Used for the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (101 - 31) |
| May 6, 2013 | TX | SB 864 | Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training | Bill Passed - House (116 - 30) |
| May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1076 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
| May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 1009 | Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools | Bill Passed - House (123 - 22) |
| May 6, 2013 | TX | HB 972 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns on Higher Education Campuses | Bill Passed - House (102 - 41) |
| May 2, 2013 | AL | SB 286 | Amends Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - House (74 - 27) |