Arizona Citizens Defense League

Legislative Update

We are now three weeks into the 2021 Arizona legislation session. The number of bills filed has climbed to over 1,400. Key bills that AzCDL is monitoring, and their status, can be found on our Bill Tracking page. It is updated daily. The final day for Senators to file bills is Monday, February 1. For the House, the deadline is Monday, February 8.

Of the 20 firearms-related bills that we are monitoring, 15 have been filed by Democrats attacking your right to keep and bear arms. Newly added this week are a couple of Senate bills:

SB 1535 – Would make you a felon if a minor can access your firearm.

SB 1585 – You would be guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor for “storing” your firearms without using a trigger lock or placing them in a locked container. There is no explanation of “storing” in the proposed statute or when or where it’s supposed to occur. It could mean you need to add a trigger lock before placing your gun in your holster.

On the plus side, the Republicans have filed two more bills supporting your rights:

SB 1361 – Would waive the CCW permit fees for active-duty military, veterans, and current and retired peace officers.

SB 1382 – Would classify ammunition and firearms-related businesses as “essential” during a state of emergency.

Following the deadline for filing new legislation, all bills must be heard by committees in their originating chambers (House or Senate) by February 19, a little over 2 weeks from now. It’s impossible for all bills that are filed to meet that deadline. The Republican leadership in the House and Senate determines the committee assignments.

*****

For further information, go to https://azcdl.org/

Legislation tracked by the Arizona Citizens Defense League can be found here.