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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2011 | AZ | SB 1201 | Firearms Omnibus | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | MT | SB 279 | Permitting Qualified Personnel to Carry Weapons Into the Capital | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | UT | HB 219 | Official State Gun Designation | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| Jan. 24, 2011 | WY | SF 47 | Firearm Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| Oct. 14, 2010 | PA | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
| June 15, 2010 | LA | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| May 27, 2010 | TN | SB 3012 | Guns in Bars | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 27, 2010 | OH | SB 239 | Allowing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 5, 2010 | OK | SB 1685 | Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| April 21, 2010 | OK | HB 3354 | Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| March 29, 2010 | IA | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
| March 29, 2010 | AZ | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| March 27, 2010 | IA | Amdt 5371 | Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| March 13, 2010 | WV | HB 4521 | Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| March 11, 2010 | IA | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| March 10, 2010 | VA | HB 505 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| March 10, 2010 | VA | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| March 4, 2010 | IN | HB 1065 | Authorizing Firearms at Workplace | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
| March 3, 2010 | FL | SB 1158 | Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| Feb. 16, 2010 | VA | SB 334 | Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Feb. 16, 2010 | VA | SB 408 | Gun Regulation Modifications | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 12, 2010 | NM | SB 40 | Authorizing Concealed Weapons in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
| Feb. 3, 2010 | UT | SB 11 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| Jan. 25, 2010 | KY | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |
| Dec. 22, 2009 | National | S Amdt 3276 | Senate Health Care Bill Amendments | Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| July 22, 2009 | National | S Amdt 1618 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39) |
| June 26, 2009 | NJ | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 16, 2009 | AZ | SB 1113 | Handguns in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| June 9, 2009 | WI | SB 167 | Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| June 4, 2009 | TN | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| May 12, 2009 | National | S Amdt 1067 | Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks | Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29) |
| April 16, 2009 | TN | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| April 9, 2009 | MT | HB 228 | Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
| April 6, 2009 | MD | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | VA | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Feb. 4, 2009 | VA | SB 1257 | Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
| Aug. 19, 2008 | CA | SB 1171 | Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| June 27, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 5) |
| May 29, 2008 | OH | SB 184 | Lethal Force Against Intruders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| May 21, 2008 | LA | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| May 19, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| May 12, 2008 | AZ | HB 2629 | Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| April 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2630 | Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| April 9, 2008 | FL | HB 503 | Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| April 3, 2008 | AZ | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 2, 2008 | GA | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| March 19, 2008 | MS | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| March 12, 2008 | MD | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| March 5, 2008 | WY | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/03 | SB 1201 | Firearms Omnibus | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 2/21 | SB 279 | Permitting Qualified Personnel to Carry Weapons Into the Capital | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 2/10 | HB 219 | Official State Gun Designation | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| 1/24 | SF 47 | Firearm Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 10/14 | HB 1926 | Amending Self-Protection Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4) |
| 6/15 | HB 1272 | Authorizing Handguns in of Places of Worship | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| 5/27 | SB 3012 | Guns in Bars | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 5/27 | SB 239 | Allowing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 5/05 | SB 1685 | Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| 4/21 | HB 3354 | Concealed and Unconcealed Weapons Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| 3/29 | SF 2379 | Requiring County Sheriffs to Issue Concealed Weapons Permits to Qualified Applicants | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 4) |
| 3/29 | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 3/27 | Amdt 5371 | Authorizing Qualified Individuals to Conceal Weapons Without a Permit | Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 28) |
| 3/13 | HB 4521 | Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 3/11 | SF 2357 | Prohibiting Firearm Possession by Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 3/10 | HB 505 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 3/10 | HB 885 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 3/04 | HB 1065 | Authorizing Firearms at Workplace | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 9) |
| 3/03 | SB 1158 | Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 2/16 | SB 334 | Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| 2/16 | SB 408 | Gun Regulation Modifications | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 2/12 | SB 40 | Authorizing Concealed Weapons in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15) |
| 2/03 | SB 11 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| 1/25 | SB 3 | Omnibus Constitutional Amendment | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 0) |
| 12/22 | S Amdt 3276 | Senate Health Care Bill Amendments | Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| 7/22 | S Amdt 1618 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39) |
| 6/26 | A 339 | Handgun Purchasing Limitations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 6/16 | SB 1113 | Handguns in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 6/09 | SB 167 | Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 6/04 | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 1067 | Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks | Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29) |
| 4/16 | HB 962 | Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 4/09 | HB 228 | Amending Concealed Weapons and Self-Defense Statutes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 10) |
| 4/06 | HB 302 | Allowing Judges to Confiscate Firearms from Domestic Abuse Suspects | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15) |
| 2/26 | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
| 2/25 | SB 1035 | Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 2/04 | SB 1257 | Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
| 8/19 | SB 1171 | Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 6/27 | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 5) |
| 5/29 | SB 184 | Lethal Force Against Intruders | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| 5/21 | SB 51 | Guns in Parked Locked Cars | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| 5/19 | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| 5/12 | HB 2629 | Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| 4/23 | HB 2630 | Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| 4/09 | HB 503 | Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 4/03 | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 4/02 | HB 257 | Limiting Concealed Weapon Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| 3/19 | HB 1089 | Legalizing Deer Baiting | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24) |
| 3/12 | SB 42 | Temporary Confiscation of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| 3/05 | HB 137 | Deadly Force in Self Defense | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1) |