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Governors and state gun legislation: a timeline

Last reviewed · 48 sources

Short answer: Most U.S. gun law that changes year to year is state law. Since 2003, a large group of states has dropped the permit requirement for carrying a concealed handgun, while another group has added magazine limits, assault-weapon sales bans, extreme-risk orders, and wider background checks. This page gives selected major actions, each with the governor in office, the governor’s party at the time, and an official source. For a one-line-per-action scorecard, see the governors & state gun laws summary.

2003–2010

Alaska — HB 102 (2003)

Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) — HB 102, ch. 62 SLA 03, signed June 11, 2003. The bill revised Alaska’s law on carrying concealed deadly weapons. [Alaska Legislature, HB 102 (2003) history] Alaska still issues concealed handgun permits, but the Department of Public Safety states that a permit is not required to carry for people 21 and older who may lawfully possess a firearm. [Alaska DPS, Concealed Handgun Permits]

Arizona — SB 1108 (2010)

Gov. Jan Brewer (R) — SB 1108, Laws 2010, ch. 59, approved April 16, 2010. According to the Arizona Senate fact sheet, the act removed the misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit for people 21 and older, with listed exceptions. Arizona continued to issue permits. [Ariz. Senate fact sheet, SB 1108 (2010)]

2013

New York — NY SAFE Act (2013)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) — S2230/A2388, Laws of 2013, ch. 1, signed January 15, 2013. The SAFE Act expanded the state’s assault-weapon definition and ban, set a magazine load limit, added background checks for ammunition sales and private firearm sales, and required periodic pistol-permit recertification. [NY Senate, S2230 (2013)]

Colorado — HB13-1224 and HB13-1229 (2013)

Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) — signed March 20, 2013. HB13-1224 banned the sale, transfer, or possession of magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with exceptions (including for magazines already owned), effective July 1, 2013. [Colo. HB 13-1224 (signed)] HB13-1229 required background checks for most firearm transfers, including private transfers. [Conn. OLR, 2013-R-0198]

Connecticut — Public Act 13-3 (2013)

Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) — SB 1160, Public Act 13-3, signed April 4, 2013. [Conn. SB 1160 (2013) status] The act expanded the assault-weapons ban; banned the sale, purchase, or transfer of magazines holding more than 10 rounds (existing ones could be kept if declared to the state); required background checks for private long-gun sales; and required a state permit or eligibility certificate to buy a long gun or ammunition. [Conn. OLR, 2013-R-0216]

Maryland — Firearm Safety Act of 2013

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) — SB 281, ch. 427, approved May 16, 2013. The act designated specified firearms as assault weapons and, with exceptions, prohibited bringing them into the state or possessing, selling, transferring, or buying them, along with other changes to handgun and ammunition law. [Md. SB 281 (2013)]

Illinois — Firearm Concealed Carry Act (2013)

Gov. Pat Quinn (D) — HB 183, Public Act 98-63; amendatory veto overridden July 9, 2013. Quinn returned the bill with an amendatory veto. The House voted 77–31 to override it, and the act became law over his objections. [Ill. House roll call, HB 183 override (July 9, 2013)] The act created Illinois’s licensing system for carrying concealed firearms. [Ill. Public Act 98-63]

2015–2016

Kansas — SB 45 (2015)

Gov. Sam Brownback (R) — SB 45, approved April 2, 2015, effective July 1, 2015. The act authorized carrying concealed handguns without a license. [Kan. SB 45 (2015)]

Maine — LD 652 (2015)

Gov. Paul LePage (R) — LD 652 (SP 245), “An Act To Authorize the Carrying of Concealed Handguns without a Permit,” signed July 8, 2015, Public Law 2015, ch. 327. [Me. LD 652 (2015)]

West Virginia — HB 4145 (2016)

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) — vetoed March 3, 2016; veto overridden. HB 4145 related to carrying a handgun or deadly weapon without a permit. Tomblin vetoed it; the House overrode the veto on March 4 and the Senate on March 5, 2016. [W.Va. HB 4145 (2016) history]

Missouri — SB 656 (2016)

Gov. Jay Nixon (D) — vetoed June 27, 2016; passed over veto September 14, 2016. [Mo. House, SB 656 (2016) actions] The act generally allowed concealed carry without a permit outside listed restricted locations, removed a duty to retreat in specified places, and created extended and lifetime permit options. [Mo. SB 656 (2016), truly agreed text]

2018

Florida — SB 7026 (2018)

Gov. Rick Scott (R) — CS/SB 7026, Laws of Florida ch. 2018-3, approved March 9, 2018. Named the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, the law created risk protection orders, barred people under 21 from buying a firearm, banned bump-fire stocks, set a three-day waiting period for most firearm purchases, and created a school guardian program. [Laws of Fla. ch. 2018-3]

Vermont — S.55 and S.221 (2018)

Gov. Phil Scott (R) — signed April 11, 2018. S.55 (Act 94) required background checks for most private sales, barred most sales to people under 21, limited magazine capacity, and banned bump stocks. [Vt. S.55 (2018) status] [Vt. Act 94 (2018)] S.221 created extreme risk protection orders. [Vt. S.221 (2018) status]

New Jersey — P.L.2018, c.39

Gov. Phil Murphy (D) — A2761, P.L.2018, c.39, approved June 13, 2018. The law cut the state’s large-capacity magazine threshold to 10 rounds, with limited exceptions. [N.J. P.L.2018, c.39]

2020–2021

Virginia — SB 70 and HB 674 (2020)

Gov. Ralph Northam (D) — SB 70 approved April 10, 2020 (ch. 1112); HB 674 approved April 8, 2020 (ch. 887); both effective July 1, 2020. SB 70 required criminal history checks for most private firearm sales. [Va. SB 70 (2020)] HB 674 created emergency and extended substantial risk orders. [Va. HB 674 (2020)]

Utah — HB 60 (2021)

Gov. Spencer Cox (R) — HB 60, signed February 15, 2021, effective May 5, 2021 (ch. 12). [Utah H.B. 60 (2021)] The final version provides that a person 21 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry it concealed in public without a permit. [Utah 3rd Sub. H.B. 60 (2021)]

Missouri — HB 85, Second Amendment Preservation Act (2021)

Gov. Mike Parson (R) — HB 85, approved June 12, 2021. [Mo. House, HB 85 (2021) actions] The act declared federal laws, orders, and rules that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms invalid in Missouri and provided that state and local officials have no authority to enforce them. [Mo. House summary, HB 85 (2021)]

Texas — HB 1927 (2021)

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) — HB 1927, signed June 16, 2021, effective September 1, 2021. The law allowed most adults 21 and older who are not barred from possessing a firearm to carry a handgun without a license. [Tex. HB 1927 (2021) history]

2022

Ohio — SB 215 (2022)

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) — SB 215, signed March 14, 2022, effective June 13, 2022. The law allowed qualifying adults to carry a concealed handgun without a license. [Ohio SB 215 (2022) status]

Georgia — SB 319 (2022)

Gov. Brian Kemp (R) — SB 319, the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act, signed April 12, 2022. The law allowed eligible people to carry a handgun without a license. [Ga. Governor press release, Apr. 13, 2022]

Delaware — gun package (2022)

Gov. John Carney (D) — signed June 30, 2022. The package included HB 450 (ban on the sale of assault weapons), SS 1 for SB 6 (magazine limits), HB 451 (raising the age to buy most firearms to 21), and other bills. [Del. news release, June 30, 2022]

New York — S51001 (2022)

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) — S51001, signed July 1, 2022, chapter 371. Passed in an extraordinary session, the law rewrote firearm licensing and related provisions, including the rules for carrying firearms. [N.Y. Assembly, S51001 (2022)]

2023

Illinois — Protect Illinois Communities Act (2023)

Gov. JB Pritzker (D) — HB 5471, Public Act 102-1116, signed January 10, 2023. The act banned the manufacture and sale of specified assault weapons and of magazines holding more than 10 rounds (long guns) or 15 rounds (handguns). People who already owned covered weapons had to file an endorsement affidavit to keep them. [Ill. Public Act 102-1116]

Florida — HB 543 (2023)

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) — CS/HB 543, Laws of Florida ch. 2023-18, approved April 3, 2023. The law allowed eligible people to carry a concealed weapon or firearm without a license. [Laws of Fla. ch. 2023-18]

Michigan — background check and safe storage bills (2023)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) — signed April 13, 2023. The bills (SB 79–82 and HB 4138 and 4142) required background checks for all firearm purchases and set safe-storage requirements. [Mich. Governor press release, Apr. 13, 2023]

Nebraska — LB77 (2023)

Gov. Jim Pillen (R) — LB77, signed April 2023. The governor’s office said LB77 allows people 21 and older who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. [Neb. Governor press release, Apr. 2023]

Washington — HB 1240 (2023)

Gov. Jay Inslee (D) — HB 1240, signed April 25, 2023 (ch. 162, Laws of 2023). [Wash. HB 1240 (2023)] The law provides that “No person in this state may manufacture, import, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any assault weapon,” with listed exceptions. [Wash. SHB 1240 (passed Legislature)]

2024

Louisiana — SB 1 (2024)

Gov. Jeff Landry (R) — SB 1, 2024 Second Extraordinary Session, Act 1, signed March 5, 2024, effective July 4, 2024. The law allows law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. [La. SB 1 (2024 2nd Ex. Sess.)]

South Carolina — H.3594 (2024)

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) — H.3594, the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024, Act No. 111, signed March 7, 2024. [S.C. H. 3594 (2024)]

Virginia — HB 2 veto (2024)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) — vetoed March 26, 2024. HB 2 would have banned the purchase, sale, and transfer of assault firearms. The House of Delegates sustained the veto on April 17, 2024, so the bill did not become law. [Va. HB 2 (2024)]

Massachusetts — Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024

Gov. Maura Healey (D) — H.4885, “An Act modernizing firearm laws,” signed July 25, 2024. [Mass. H.4885 (2024)] Among other changes, the law added serialization rules for untraceable (“ghost”) guns, rewrote the state’s definitions for assault-style firearms, and revised the state’s extreme risk protection order provisions. [Mass. Acts 2024, ch. 135]

2025–2026

Colorado — SB25-003 (2025)

Gov. Jared Polis (D) — SB25-003, “Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices,” signed April 10, 2025. Starting August 1, 2026, the law restricts the sale and purchase of specified semiautomatic firearms that can accept a detachable magazine unless the buyer meets training and eligibility-card requirements. It also addresses rapid-fire devices. [Colo. SB25-003]

North Carolina — SB 50 veto (2025)

Gov. Josh Stein (D) — vetoed June 20, 2025. SB 50, “Freedom to Carry NC,” would have allowed concealed carry without a permit. [N.C. Governor press release, June 20, 2025] The Senate voted 30–19 to override the veto on July 29, 2025. As of October 27, 2026, the House had not completed an override, so the bill had not become law. [N.C. S50 (2025)]

Rhode Island — assault weapons sales ban (2025)

Gov. Dan McKee (D) — S 359 Sub A, signed June 26, 2025. The law bans the sale and manufacture of assault weapons in Rhode Island. Current lawful owners may keep them and may sell them to licensed dealers or to people outside the state who can lawfully possess them. [R.I. Governor press release, June 26, 2025]

Virginia — HB 217 / SB 749 (2026)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) — signing announced May 15, 2026. The governor’s office said the legislation “prohibits the future sale and manufacture of assault firearms, and the sale of magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds.” [Va. Governor news release, May 15, 2026]

Selected list only

This page covers selected major state actions, not every state or statute. Some notable state laws are not yet included here, and many of the laws above have since been amended or challenged in court. For federal law, see the presidents & federal gun laws timeline. Nothing here is legal advice. For how federal law applies to AR-15s, see AR-15 laws: a federal overview.

Sources

  1. Alaska HB 102 (23rd Legislature): Bill History — concealed deadly weapons, ch. 62 SLA 03. Alaska State Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  2. Concealed Handgun Permits. Alaska Department of Public Safety. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  3. SB 1108 (49th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session) — Senate Fact Sheet, as enacted (Laws 2010, ch. 59). Arizona State Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  4. NY Senate Bill S2230 (2013) — NY SAFE Act of 2013 (signed, chapter 1). New York State Senate. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  5. House Bill 13-1224, Concerning Prohibiting Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazines (signed act). Colorado Bureau of Investigation (copy of signed act). [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  6. Summary of Colorado's New Gun Control Laws (OLR Report 2013-R-0198). Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  7. Bill Status: SB 1160 (2013) — Public Act 13-3. Connecticut General Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  8. Summary of Gun Provisions in Public Act 13-3 (OLR Report 2013-R-0216). Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  9. SB 281 (2013 Regular Session) — Firearm Safety Act of 2013 (Chapter 427). Maryland General Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  10. Public Act 98-0063 (HB 183) — Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Illinois General Assembly. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  11. HB 183 (98th GA) — House roll call, Motion to Override Amendatory Veto, July 9, 2013. Illinois General Assembly. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  12. SB 45 (2015–2016) — carrying of concealed handguns without a license. Kansas Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  13. LD 652, SP 245 (127th Legislature) — An Act To Authorize the Carrying of Concealed Handguns without a Permit. Maine Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  14. HB 4145 (2016 Regular Session) — Complete Bill History. West Virginia Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  15. SB 656 (2016) — Bill Actions. Missouri House of Representatives. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  16. Laws of Florida, Chapter 2018-3 (CS/SB 7026, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act). Florida Department of State. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  17. S.55 (2018) — Bill status (Act 94). Vermont General Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  18. S.221 (2018) — Bill status (extreme risk protection orders). Vermont General Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  19. P.L.2018, c.39 (A2761) — large-capacity ammunition magazines. New Jersey Legislature. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  20. SB 70 (2020 Session) — firearm sales; criminal history record information checks (Chapter 1112). Virginia Legislative Information System. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  21. HB 674 (2020 Session) — emergency substantial risk orders (Chapter 887). Virginia Legislative Information System. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  22. H.B. 60 (2021) — Concealed Carry Firearms Amendments. Utah State Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  23. HB 1927 (87th Legislature, Regular Session) — Bill History. Texas Legislature Online. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  24. HB 85 (2021) — Bill Actions. Missouri House of Representatives. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  25. Senate Bill 215 Status (134th General Assembly). Ohio Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  26. Gov. Kemp Signs Georgia Constitutional Carry Act into Law (April 13, 2022). Office of the Governor of Georgia. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  27. Governor Carney Signs Package of Gun Safety Legislation (June 30, 2022). State of Delaware. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  28. S51001 (2021–2022, Extraordinary Session) — bill actions (signed chap. 371). New York State Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  29. Public Act 102-1116 (HB 5471) — Protect Illinois Communities Act. Illinois General Assembly. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  30. Laws of Florida, Chapter 2023-18 (CS/HB 543). Florida Department of State. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  31. Gov. Whitmer Signs Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation (April 13, 2023). Office of the Governor of Michigan. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  32. HB 1240 (2023) — Bill Summary (Chapter 162, 2023 Laws). Washington State Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  33. ICYMI: Governor Pillen Signs Constitutional Carry Bill Into Law. Office of the Governor of Nebraska. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  34. SB 1 (2024 Second Extraordinary Session) — concealed handguns without a permit (Act 1). Louisiana State Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  35. H. 3594 (125th Session) — South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024 (Act No. 111). South Carolina Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  36. HB 2 (2024 Session) — assault firearms; purchase, sale, transfer prohibited (vetoed). Virginia Legislative Information System. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  37. Bill H.4885 (193rd General Court) — An Act modernizing firearm laws. Massachusetts Legislature. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  38. SB25-003 Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices. Colorado General Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  39. Governor Stein Takes Action on Four Bills (June 20, 2025). Office of the Governor of North Carolina. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  40. Senate Bill 50 (2025–2026 Session) — Freedom to Carry NC. North Carolina General Assembly. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  41. Governor McKee Signs Bill Banning the Sale of Assault Weapons (June 26, 2025). Office of the Governor of Rhode Island. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  42. Governor Spanberger Signs 25 Bills (May 15, 2026). Office of the Governor of Virginia. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  43. CCS HCS SB 656 (2016) — Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed text. Missouri Senate. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  44. Act 94 (2018), as enacted. Vermont General Assembly. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  45. 3rd Substitute H.B. 60 (2021) — Conceal Carry Firearms Amendments (bill text). Utah State Legislature. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  46. SS SCS HCS HBs 85 & 310 — The Right to Bear Arms (truly agreed summary). Missouri House of Representatives. [government] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  47. Acts of 2024, Chapter 135. Massachusetts Legislature. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.
  48. Substitute House Bill 1240 (2023), as passed by the Legislature. Washington State Legislature. [primary] Accessed October 27, 2026.