Although more and more state legislatures are concluding their legislative sessions as the months progress there are still hundreds of bills pending – and more still being introduced – that directly affect FFLs.  Orchid Advisors continually monitors state legislation and sifts through the thousands of firearm and ammunition bills that may have little to no impact to firearms businesses in our efforts to keep the industry informed about new restrictions or obligations imposed upon them.   Here is a snapshot of state activity in May:

Newly Introduced Bills

1. New Jersey SB 3706 – This bill implements a tax on the sales of firearms at 2.5% and ammunition at 10%.
2. New York A7640 – This bill implements a tax on the retail sale of firearms at of $5.
3. Pennsylvania HB 1494 – This bill implements a licensing and background check scheme for the purchase of ammunition.

Bills that Passed One Legislative Chamber

1. California AB 645 – This bill would require, as of June 1, 2020, a specified statement regarding suicide prevention to be included on the firearm warning label, and to be posted on the premises of each licensed firearm dealer.
   1. Status: This bill passed the Assembly 4/25 and is currently pending in the Senate.
2. California SB 61 – This bill restricts the purchase of more than one firearm of any type within a 30 day period, with certain exemptions. Additionally, this bill would not allow the purchase of semiautomatic, centerfire rifles by persons under the age of 21, regardless of whether they have a hanging license or are an honorable discharged member of the Armed Forces.
   1. Status: This bill passed the Senate 5/22 and is currently pending in the Assembly.
3. California SB 220 – This bill would require security enhancements at firearms retailers that include mandating certain methods to be used to secure firearms and security enhancements to firearms retailers’ locations.
   1. Status: This bill passed the Senate 5/2 and is currently pending in the Assembly.
4. California SB 376 – Among its several provisions, this bill: would require that any entity performing loans of six or more per year of any firearm type to be licensed as a firearm dealer (current law sets the limit at 6 for handguns and an unlimited number of long guns as long as the loans are “occasional and without regularity”); and would require any person manufacturing 50 or more firearms per year to become a licensed manufacturer (current law sets the limit at 100).
   1. Status: This bill passed the Senate 5/23 and is currently pending in the Assembly.
5. Louisiana HB 413 – This bill Provides that it shall be unlawful discrimination for a financial institution to refuse to provide services to any party because of the party's lawful engagement in commerce of firearms and ammunition
   1. Status: This bill passed the House 4/29 and is currently pending in the Senate. 

Bills that Passed Both Legislative Chambers

1. Connecticut HB 7219 – To ban guns without serial numbers and regulate those which are sold in a form requiring the purchaser to finish assembly or that are homemade or 3-D printed.
   23. Status: This amended bill passed the House on 5/7 and passed the Senate on 5/23. It must still be transferred to and signed by the Governor prior to becoming law.
2. New Hampshire HB 109 – Implements universal background checks for all “commercial sales” of firearms.
   23. Status: This amended bill passed the House on 3/19 and was subsequently amended by the Senate and passed 5/23.
3. New Hampshire HB 514 – With certain limited exceptions, this bill implements a 3 day waiting period for the purchase of a firearm.
   23. Status: This amended bill passed the House on 3/19 and was subsequently amended by the Senate and passed 5/23. 
4. Texas HB 3231 – This bill strengthens Texas’ preemption statutes; further restricting the ability of counties and municipalities to impose restrictions upon firearms and ammunition.
   24. Status: This bill passed the House on 5/2, was subsequently amended and passed by the Senate on 5/22, and the House concurred with the Senate amendments on 5/24.
5. VT S 169 – This bill requires a 24 hour waiting period for the purchase of a handgun.
   16. Status: This bill passed the Senate on 3/22 and the House on 5/16.

Legislation Signed Into Law

1. Washington HB 1465 – This bill removes a provision that allows a dealer to deliver a pistol to a purchaser who produces a valid concealed pistol license prior to the completion of a state background check. However, the requirements of this bill expire upon the earlier of: June 30, 2022, or, 6 months after the date upon which the Washington State Patrol determines that a single point of contact for firearm background checks is operational.
   2019. Status: This legislation is effective July 1, 2019.
2. Washington HB 1739 – This bill prohibits the manufacture of “undetectable” or “untraceable” firearms, as both those terms are defined in the bill.
   2019. Status: This legislation is effective July 1, 2019.

Orchid Advisors provides ATF and ITAR compliance services to manufacturing, distribution and retail FFLs. The firm offers FFL and Export licensing, deep record inspections, e4473 / NFA eForms, Electronic Bound Book software and delivers the largest online ATF and ITAR compliance training platform available.  Together with its partners, Orchid delivers the only integrated firearm compliance, technology and legal solution.