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Governors and state gun laws: a timeline summary

Last reviewed · 42 sources

Short answer: Since the early 2000s, state gun law has moved in two directions at once. Many states, mostly with Republican governors, dropped the permit requirement for concealed carry. Other states, mostly with Democratic governors, added magazine limits, assault-weapon sales bans, and wider background checks. The table below is a quick chronological scorecard of selected major actions. Use Details to jump to the matching section of the full governors & state gun laws timeline.

Chronological summary

DateGovernorStatePartyAction (brief)LeanDetails
Jun 2003Frank MurkowskiAKRHB 102 (ch. 62 SLA 03) revised concealed-weapons law; Alaska today does not require a permit to carry for adults 21+ [Alaska Legislature, HB 102 (2003) history] [Alaska DPS, Concealed Handgun Permits]ProFull details
Apr 2010Jan BrewerAZRSB 1108 (ch. 59) — concealed carry without a permit for most adults 21+ [Ariz. Senate fact sheet, SB 1108 (2010)]ProFull details
Jan 2013Andrew CuomoNYDNY SAFE Act — expanded assault-weapons ban, magazine limits, ammunition and private-sale checks [NY Senate, S2230 (2013)]AntiFull details
Mar 2013John HickenlooperCODMagazines over 15 rounds banned (HB13-1224); universal background checks (HB13-1229) [Colo. HB 13-1224 (signed)] [Conn. OLR, 2013-R-0198]AntiFull details
Apr 2013Dannel MalloyCTDPublic Act 13-3 — expanded assault-weapons ban, ban on sale of magazines over 10 rounds, permit/certificate to buy long guns [Conn. SB 1160 (2013) status] [Conn. OLR, 2013-R-0216]AntiFull details
May 2013Martin O’MalleyMDDFirearm Safety Act of 2013 (SB 281, ch. 427) — designated assault weapons, restricted their sale and possession [Md. SB 281 (2013)]AntiFull details
Jul 2013Pat QuinnILDFirearm Concealed Carry Act (PA 98-63) enacted when legislature overrode Quinn’s amendatory veto [Ill. House roll call, HB 183 override (July 9, 2013)]ProFull details
Apr 2015Sam BrownbackKSRSB 45 — concealed handguns without a license [Kan. SB 45 (2015)]ProFull details
Jul 2015Paul LePageMERLD 652 — concealed handguns without a permit [Me. LD 652 (2015)]ProFull details
Mar 2016Earl Ray TomblinWVDHB 4145 permitless carry enacted over Tomblin’s veto [W.Va. HB 4145 (2016) history]ProFull details
Sep 2016Jay NixonMODSB 656 — permitless carry and no duty to retreat, enacted over Nixon’s veto [Mo. House, SB 656 (2016) actions]ProFull details
Mar 2018Rick ScottFLRSB 7026 — risk protection orders, purchase age 21, bump-fire stock ban, 3-day wait [Laws of Fla. ch. 2018-3]AntiFull details
Apr 2018Phil ScottVTRS.55 (background checks, under-21 sales, magazine limits, bump stocks) and S.221 (extreme risk orders) [Vt. S.55 (2018) status] [Vt. S.221 (2018) status]AntiFull details
Jun 2018Phil MurphyNJDP.L.2018, c.39 — magazine limit cut to 10 rounds [N.J. P.L.2018, c.39]AntiFull details
Apr 2020Ralph NorthamVADBackground checks on private sales (SB 70); substantial risk orders (HB 674) [Va. SB 70 (2020)] [Va. HB 674 (2020)]AntiFull details
Feb 2021Spencer CoxUTRHB 60 — concealed carry without a permit for adults 21+ [Utah H.B. 60 (2021)]ProFull details
Jun 2021Mike ParsonMORHB 85 — Second Amendment Preservation Act [Mo. House, HB 85 (2021) actions]ProFull details
Jun 2021Greg AbbottTXRHB 1927 — handgun carry without a license for adults 21+ [Tex. HB 1927 (2021) history]ProFull details
Mar 2022Mike DeWineOHRSB 215 — concealed handgun carry without a license [Ohio SB 215 (2022) status]ProFull details
Apr 2022Brian KempGARSB 319 — Georgia Constitutional Carry Act [Ga. Governor press release, Apr. 13, 2022]ProFull details
Jun 2022John CarneyDEDPackage incl. assault-weapons sales ban (HB 450) and magazine limits (SB 6) [Del. news release, June 30, 2022]AntiFull details
Jul 2022Kathy HochulNYDS51001 (ch. 371) — rewrote firearm licensing and carry rules [N.Y. Assembly, S51001 (2022)]AntiFull details
Jan 2023JB PritzkerILDProtect Illinois Communities Act — assault-weapon and large-magazine sales ban [Ill. Public Act 102-1116]AntiFull details
Apr 2023Ron DeSantisFLRHB 543 — concealed carry without a license [Laws of Fla. ch. 2023-18]ProFull details
Apr 2023Gretchen WhitmerMIDUniversal background checks and safe-storage bills [Mich. Governor press release, Apr. 13, 2023]AntiFull details
Apr 2023Jim PillenNERLB77 — concealed carry without a permit for adults 21+ [Neb. Governor press release, Apr. 2023]ProFull details
Apr 2023Jay InsleeWADHB 1240 — ban on manufacture, import, and sale of assault weapons [Wash. HB 1240 (2023)]AntiFull details
Mar 2024Jeff LandryLARSB 1 (2024 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 1) — concealed carry without a permit [La. SB 1 (2024 2nd Ex. Sess.)]ProFull details
Mar 2024Henry McMasterSCRH.3594 — Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2024 [S.C. H. 3594 (2024)]ProFull details
Mar 2024Glenn YoungkinVARVetoed HB 2 (assault firearms sales ban); veto sustained [Va. HB 2 (2024)]ProFull details
Jul 2024Maura HealeyMADChapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 — ghost guns, assault-style firearm rules, licensing [Mass. H.4885 (2024)]AntiFull details
Apr 2025Jared PolisCODSB25-003 — purchase limits on specified semiautomatic firearms from Aug. 1, 2026 [Colo. SB25-003]AntiFull details
Jun 2025Josh SteinNCDVetoed SB 50 (permitless carry); Senate overrode, House had not as of Oct. 2026 [N.C. Governor press release, June 20, 2025] [N.C. S50 (2025)]AntiFull details
Jun 2025Dan McKeeRIDBan on sale and manufacture of assault weapons [R.I. Governor press release, June 26, 2025]AntiFull details
May 2026Abigail SpanbergerVADHB 217 / SB 749 — future sale and manufacture of assault firearms banned; magazines over 15 rounds [Va. Governor news release, May 15, 2026]AntiFull details

Notes

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.