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 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)
March 30, 2011 NC HB 111 Concealed Handguns in Restaurants and State Parks Bill Passed - House (74 - 42)
March 25, 2011 AR HB 1958 Authorizes Concealed Handguns In Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (65 - 23)
March 16, 2011 ID H 222 Authorizes Guns on Campus Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
March 15, 2011 NH HB 330 Carrying Firearms Without a License Bill Passed - House (244 - 109)
March 2, 2011 CO HB 1205 Authorizing the Concealed Carry of a Firearm Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
Feb. 23, 2011 MT HB 381 Criminalizing Enforcement of Certain Federal Firearms Laws Bill Failed - House (38 - 61)
Feb. 22, 2011 MT HB 271 Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
Feb. 16, 2011 UT HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 15, 2011 UT HB 219 Official State Gun Designation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2011 MT HB 384 Concealed Weapons in Prohibited Places Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 3, 2011 UT HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
Oct. 5, 2010 PA HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
July 28, 2010 National HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
June 17, 2010 LA HB 1272 Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 26)
June 4, 2010 TN SB 3012 Guns in Bars Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 30)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 1810 Expanded Firearm Registration Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1934 Amendments to the Penal Code Regarding Firearms Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
May 6, 2010 LA HB 68 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Places of Worship Bill Failed - House (45 - 39)
May 4, 2010 OK HB 3354 Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons Guidelines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
March 29, 2010 IA SF 2379 Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
March 24, 2010 NH HB 1693 Prohibiting Legislative Facilities Committee From Adopting Additional Weapons Regulations "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 167)
March 24, 2010 KS HB 2685 Authorizing Concealed Weapons on Campus Bill Passed - House (65 - 57)
March 16, 2010 NY A 7575 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (89 - 53)
March 13, 2010 WV HB 4521 Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 4)
March 11, 2010 VA HB 505 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 27)
March 11, 2010 VA HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
March 10, 2010 IA SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
March 10, 2010 IA Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
March 9, 2010 ID H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
March 4, 2010 IN HB 1065 Authorizing Firearms at Workplace Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 20)
March 3, 2010 WY HB 95 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
March 2, 2010 VA SB 408 Gun Regulation Modifications Bill Passed - House (74 - 25)
March 2, 2010 VA SB 334 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (72 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 AZ HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Feb. 22, 2010 WY HB 113 Authorizing Concealed Weapons Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 40 Authorizing Concealed Weapons in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
Feb. 10, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 OK SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
June 3, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 27)
May 20, 2009 National HR 627 Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 147)
May 4, 2009 TN HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
April 28, 2009 NY A 801 Renewal Requirement for Pistol and Revolver Licenses Bill Passed - House (87 - 58)
April 28, 2009 NY A 6468 Microstamping Requirement for Semiautomatic Pistols Bill Passed - House (94 - 47)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 668 Firearm Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (105 - 50)
April 9, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
April 6, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
March 19, 2009 TN HB 390 Allowing Loaded "Long Guns" in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
March 17, 2009 MD HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
March 12, 2009 TN HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 18, 2009 ND HB 1348 Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses Bill Passed - House (48 - 46)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2009 AR HB 1237 Allowing Concealed Weapons in Churches Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 10, 2009 MT HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Dec. 11, 2008 MI SB 505 Authorizing Judges to Carry Concealed Weapons in Courtrooms Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
Sept. 17, 2008 National HR 6842 Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban Bill Passed - House (266 - 152)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA SB 1171 Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (45 - 32)
July 29, 2008 MA Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
June 27, 2008 AZ HB 2389 Involving Gun Owners' Rights Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 21)
June 23, 2008 NJ A 339 Handgun Purchasing Limitations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
June 20, 2008 LA SB 51 Guns in Parked Locked Cars Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 2062 Regulation Of Ammunition Sales Bill Passed - House (42 - 32)
May 28, 2008 OH SB 184 Lethal Force Against Intruders Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
May 21, 2008 AZ HB 2629 Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 26)
May 7, 2008 IL HB 4139 Peace Officer Firearms Bill Passed - House (91 - 18)
April 30, 2008 IL HB 5191 Parental Responsibility for Gun Accessibility Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
April 1, 2008 PA A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
March 31, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
March 27, 2008 AZ HB 2788 Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - House (51 - 5)
March 26, 2008 FL HB 503 Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
March 19, 2008 ID S 1441 Prohibiting Local Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
March 11, 2008 AZ HB 2389 Involving Gun Owners' Rights Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
March 6, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
March 4, 2008 AZ HB 2630 Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
March 3, 2008 UT AM 1 Mandating the Concealment of Firearms on Campus Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 29)
March 3, 2008 UT HB 473 Campus Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
Feb. 26, 2008 WI AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
Feb. 25, 2008 WY HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 VA SB 476 Prohibiting Drinking with a Concealed Weapon Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
Feb. 21, 2008 VA SB 436 Concealed Weapons in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
Feb. 4, 2008 SD HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Jan. 31, 2008 GA HB 89 Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (111 - 58)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
June 6, 2007 SC H 3964 Concealed Firearms in Schools Motion Agreed - House (47 - 41)
June 5, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 56)
June 4, 2007 AZ SB 1251 Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
May 29, 2007 CA AB 1471 Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
April 26, 2007 KS HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Veto Override Passed - House (98 - 26)
April 19, 2007 NC HB 573 Concealed Weapons for Judges Bill Passed - House (86 - 15)
April 17, 2007 OK SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
March 28, 2007 CO SB 34 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
March 21, 2007 KS HB 2528 Concealed Gun Regulations Bill Passed - House (107 - 17)
March 20, 2007 TX CSSB 378 Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (133 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2007 UT 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
3/30 HB 111 Concealed Handguns in Restaurants and State Parks Bill Passed - House (74 - 42)
3/25 HB 1958 Authorizes Concealed Handguns In Places of Worship Bill Passed - House (65 - 23)
3/16 H 222 Authorizes Guns on Campus Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
3/15 HB 330 Carrying Firearms Without a License Bill Passed - House (244 - 109)
3/02 HB 1205 Authorizing the Concealed Carry of a Firearm Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
2/23 HB 381 Criminalizing Enforcement of Certain Federal Firearms Laws Bill Failed - House (38 - 61)
2/22 HB 271 Authorizes Concealed-Carry Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
2/16 HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/15 HB 219 Official State Gun Designation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 24)
2/10 HB 384 Concealed Weapons in Prohibited Places Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/09 HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/03 HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
11/15 HB 1926 Amending Self-Protection Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (161 - 35)
10/05 HB 40 Self Defense Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (159 - 38)
7/28 HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
6/17 HB 1272 Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 26)
6/04 SB 3012 Guns in Bars Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 30)
6/03 AB 1810 Expanded Firearm Registration Bill Passed - House (42 - 29)
6/01 AB 1934 Amendments to the Penal Code Regarding Firearms Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
5/06 HB 68 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Places of Worship Bill Failed - House (45 - 39)
5/04 HB 3354 Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons Guidelines Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
3/29 SF 2379 Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 16)
3/24 HB 1693 Prohibiting Legislative Facilities Committee From Adopting Additional Weapons Regulations "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 167)
3/24 HB 2685 Authorizing Concealed Weapons on Campus Bill Passed - House (65 - 57)
3/16 A 7575 Prohibiting Domestic Violence Offenders from Possessing Firearms Bill Passed - House (89 - 53)
3/13 HB 4521 Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 4)
3/11 HB 505 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 27)
3/11 HB 885 Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 28)
3/10 SF 2357 Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators Bill Passed - House (73 - 25)
3/10 Amdt 8381 Free Self Defense Courses for Domestic Violence Victims Amendment Rejected - House (44 - 53)
3/09 H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
3/04 HB 1065 Authorizing Firearms at Workplace Conference Report Adopted - House (75 - 20)
3/03 HB 95 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
3/02 SB 408 Gun Regulation Modifications Bill Passed - House (74 - 25)
3/02 SB 334 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (72 - 27)
2/24 HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
2/22 HB 113 Authorizing Concealed Weapons Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (42 - 15)
2/18 SB 40 Authorizing Concealed Weapons in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
2/10 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/01 SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
6/03 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 27)
5/20 HR 627 Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 147)
5/04 HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
4/28 A 801 Renewal Requirement for Pistol and Revolver Licenses Bill Passed - House (87 - 58)
4/28 A 6468 Microstamping Requirement for Semiautomatic Pistols Bill Passed - House (94 - 47)
4/16 HB 668 Firearm Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (105 - 50)
4/09 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 14)
4/06 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (70 - 26)
3/19 HB 390 Allowing Loaded "Long Guns" in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (82 - 10)
3/17 HB 359 Handgun Permit Eligibility for Domestic Abuse Victims Bill Failed - House (51 - 86)
3/17 HB 302 Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (92 - 45)
3/12 HB 254 Eliminating Thumbprint Requirement for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - House (82 - 11)
2/24 SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/18 HB 1348 Allowing Concealed Firearms on Campuses Bill Passed - House (48 - 46)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/11 HB 1237 Allowing Concealed Weapons in Churches Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/10 HB 228 Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
12/11 SB 505 Authorizing Judges to Carry Concealed Weapons in Courtrooms Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
9/17 HR 6842 Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban Bill Passed - House (266 - 152)
8/13 SB 1171 Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (45 - 32)
7/29 Peterson Amdt to H 5022 Reducing Firearm Licensing Fee Amendment Adopted - House (97 - 59)
6/27 HB 2389 Involving Gun Owners' Rights Conference Report Adopted - House (33 - 21)
6/23 A 339 Handgun Purchasing Limitations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
6/20 SB 51 Guns in Parked Locked Cars Bill Passed - House (66 - 35)
5/29 AB 2062 Regulation Of Ammunition Sales Bill Passed - House (42 - 32)
5/28 SB 184 Lethal Force Against Intruders Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
5/21 HB 2629 Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 26)
5/07 HB 4139 Peace Officer Firearms Bill Passed - House (91 - 18)
4/30 HB 5191 Parental Responsibility for Gun Accessibility Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
4/01 A 6178 to HB 1845 Reporting Missing Firearms Amendment Rejected - House (75 - 128)
3/31 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 51)
3/27 HB 2788 Relaxing Concealed Weapon Restrictions Bill Passed - House (51 - 5)
3/26 HB 503 Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (72 - 42)
3/19 S 1441 Prohibiting Local Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (60 - 9)
3/11 HB 2389 Involving Gun Owners' Rights Bill Passed - House (37 - 22)
3/06 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 2)
3/04 HB 2630 Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
3/03 AM 1 Mandating the Concealment of Firearms on Campus Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 29)
3/03 HB 473 Campus Gun Restrictions Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
2/26 AR 13 Supporting the Individual's Right to Bear Arms Resolution Passed - House (78 - 18)
2/25 HB 137 Deadly Force in Self Defense Bill Passed - House (54 - 4)
2/21 SB 476 Prohibiting Drinking with a Concealed Weapon Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
2/21 HB 1089 Legalizing Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (74 - 47)
2/21 SB 436 Concealed Weapons in Vehicles Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
2/04 HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
1/31 HB 89 Concealed Weapons in Motor Vehicles Bill Passed - House (111 - 58)
12/11 AB 581 Gun Possession During Emergencies Bill Passed - House (84 - 13)
6/06 H 3964 Concealed Firearms in Schools Motion Agreed - House (47 - 41)
6/05 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - House (94 - 56)
6/04 SB 1251 Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
5/29 AB 1471 Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
4/26 HB 2528 Concealed Firearms Veto Override Passed - House (98 - 26)
4/19 HB 573 Concealed Weapons for Judges Bill Passed - House (86 - 15)
4/17 SB 507 Comprehensive tort reform-Provide Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
3/28 SB 34 Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
3/21 HB 2528 Concealed Gun Regulations Bill Passed - House (107 - 17)
3/20 CSSB 378 Deadly Force in Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (133 - 13)
2/28 2SSB 251 Concealed Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)

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