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
Feb. 20, 2025 AL SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 18, 2025 WY HB 45 Repeals and Removes Otters from the List of Protected Animals for Hunting Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 CO SB 25-003 Prohibits the Manufacture, Distribution, Transfer, Sale, or Purchase of Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2025 VA HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 1876 Authorizes Public Colleges and Universities to Prohibit Guns on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2631 Establishes a 5-Day Waiting Period for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 1977 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2025 GA SB 47 Establishes Annual 11-day Sales Tax Holiday for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
Feb. 12, 2025 SD SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
Jan. 29, 2025 ND SB 2137 Authorizes Hunters to Bait Deer on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 886 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 24, 2025 SD SB 41 Specifies the Minimum Age Requirements for a Hunting License Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Jan. 6, 2025 IL HB 4144 Requires Police to Take Guns After Orders of Protection Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 10)
Dec. 20, 2024 MI HB 6145 Amends Various Public Regulations Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 19, 2024 MI HB 5451 Requires the Safe Firearm Storage Notice Created by MDHHS be Distributed Parents and Legal Guardians of Students Yearly Beginning October 1, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 19, 2024 MI HB 5450 Requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Create a Notice in English, Spanish and Arabic Regarding the Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 18, 2024 OH SB 58 Exempts Firearms from Liability Insurance or Fee Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Sept. 25, 2024 MI HB 5503 Establishes a Tip Line for Students to Anonymously Report Improperly Stored Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 30, 2024 DE HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
June 28, 2024 DE HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
June 6, 2024 RI S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2024 RI H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 4, 2024 NY A 7555 Authorizes New Restrictions Banning Firearm Marketing and Usage Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
June 4, 2024 NY S 4818 Establishes a 10 Day Waiting Period for the Purchase of Any Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
June 3, 2024 NY S 9760 Establishes Educational Programs Regarding Safe Storage for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
May 29, 2024 NY S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
May 28, 2024 NY S 6649 Requires Firearms Dealers to Post and Provide Written Warnings Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
May 11, 2024 AK HJR 3 Alleges Support For Cross-State Access to Conceal Carried Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
May 9, 2024 MN HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
April 30, 2024 CO SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 26, 2024 MS HB 903 Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 2)
April 22, 2024 CO HB 24-1348 Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
April 22, 2024 CO HB 24-1174 Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 17, 2024 ME LD 2238 Requires a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases in Maine Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
April 12, 2024 ME LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 11, 2024 IA HF 2556 Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
April 10, 2024 IA HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14)
April 9, 2024 TN SB 1325 Authorizes Teachers and Staff to Carry Concealed Firearms in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 31, 2024 AZ SCR 1007 Prohibits Discrimination of Certain Firearm Producing Entities Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 26, 2024 NE LB 1413 Transfers Funds and the Amends Distribution in Relation to Game Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
March 14, 2024 ID S 1413 Prohibits the False Reporting of Violence or Emergency in Public or Private Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 11, 2024 ID S 1374 Establishes Provisions Regarding Concealed Weapons on Certain Property Owned by the State of Idaho. Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 7, 2024 WY HB 125 Repeals Gun-Free Zones in Wyoming Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
March 7, 2024 MO SB 754 Amends Various Public Safety Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
March 6, 2024 SC H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 18)
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 WA SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
March 4, 2024 OR SB 1503 Establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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. 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 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 WY SF 111 Requires Separate Hunting Licenses and Seasons for Mule and Whitetail Deer Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
Feb. 22, 2024 LA SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 21, 2024 CO SB 24-066 Authorizes Tracking Gun and Ammunition Purchases Through Payment Networks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 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)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/20 SB 40 Authorizes Firearm Hold Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/18 HB 45 Repeals and Removes Otters from the List of Protected Animals for Hunting Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
2/18 HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 SB 25-003 Prohibits the Manufacture, Distribution, Transfer, Sale, or Purchase of Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/17 HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/14 SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 1876 Authorizes Public Colleges and Universities to Prohibit Guns on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2631 Establishes a 5-Day Waiting Period for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 1977 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/12 SB 47 Establishes Annual 11-day Sales Tax Holiday for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
2/12 SB 100 Authorizes Concealed Carry Permit Holders to Carry on State University and Technical College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 2)
1/29 SB 2137 Authorizes Hunters to Bait Deer on Private Property Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 15)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 886 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/27 SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/24 SB 41 Specifies the Minimum Age Requirements for a Hunting License Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
1/06 HB 4144 Requires Police to Take Guns After Orders of Protection Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 10)
12/20 HB 6145 Amends Various Public Regulations Relating to Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/19 HB 5451 Requires the Safe Firearm Storage Notice Created by MDHHS be Distributed Parents and Legal Guardians of Students Yearly Beginning October 1, 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/19 HB 5450 Requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Create a Notice in English, Spanish and Arabic Regarding the Safe Storage of Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/18 SB 58 Exempts Firearms from Liability Insurance or Fee Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
9/25 HB 5503 Establishes a Tip Line for Students to Anonymously Report Improperly Stored Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 15)
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
7/03 SB 67 Repeals Provisions that Prohibited Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/30 HB 342 Establishes a Voluntary Firearms Do-Not-Sell Registry Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 1)
6/28 HB 270 Establishes Penalty for Displaying Ammunition that is Accessible to Customer Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
6/06 S 2202 Requires Firearms to be Safely Stored in a Container That Contains a Trigger Lock Function Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 H 7373 Requires Firearms Not in Use be Kept in Locked Containers or Equipped with Tamper-Resistant Locks Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/04 A 7555 Authorizes New Restrictions Banning Firearm Marketing and Usage Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
6/04 S 4818 Establishes a 10 Day Waiting Period for the Purchase of Any Firearm Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
6/03 S 9760 Establishes Educational Programs Regarding Safe Storage for Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 7)
5/29 S 138 Amends Firearms Training Certification Rules Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19)
5/28 S 6649 Requires Firearms Dealers to Post and Provide Written Warnings Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18)
5/11 HJR 3 Alleges Support For Cross-State Access to Conceal Carried Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
5/09 HF 2609 Increases the Penalty for Straw Gun Purchasing from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 33)
4/30 SB 24-131 Prohibits Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/26 HB 903 Prohibits Usage for Machine Gun Conversion Kits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 2)
4/22 HB 24-1348 Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
4/22 HB 24-1174 Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
4/17 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 15)
4/17 LD 2224 Increases Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/17 LD 2238 Requires a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases in Maine Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/12 LD 2119 Establish the Task Force to Study the Creation of a System to Allow for the Voluntary Waiver of Firearm Rights "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 12)
4/12 LD 2086 Amending Laws Governing the Disposition of Forefeited Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/11 HF 2556 Requires Enforcement Mechanisms for Firearms Regulation Compliance by Political Subdivisions Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 5)
4/10 HF 2586 Authorizes School Employees to be Issued Permits to Carry Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 14)
4/09 SB 1325 Authorizes Teachers and Staff to Carry Concealed Firearms in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/31 SCR 1007 Prohibits Discrimination of Certain Firearm Producing Entities Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/26 LB 1413 Transfers Funds and the Amends Distribution in Relation to Game Hunting Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
3/14 S 1413 Prohibits the False Reporting of Violence or Emergency in Public or Private Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/11 S 1374 Establishes Provisions Regarding Concealed Weapons on Certain Property Owned by the State of Idaho. Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/07 HB 125 Repeals Gun-Free Zones in Wyoming Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
3/07 SB 754 Amends Various Public Safety Policies Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
3/06 H 3594 Authorizes Permitless Carriage of Firearms by Eligible Adults Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 18)
3/04 SB 5444 Prohibits Open Carrying of Guns in Zoos, Libraries and Transit Centers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
3/04 SB 5985 Amends Firearms Background Check Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
3/04 SB 1503 Establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
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)
2/28 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 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 SF 111 Requires Separate Hunting Licenses and Seasons for Mule and Whitetail Deer Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
2/22 SB 1 Authorizes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/21 SB 24-066 Authorizes Tracking Gun and Ammunition Purchases Through Payment Networks Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 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)

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