Push is on to ease Arizona's gun laws PART 1 of 2

Michael Schennum/The Arizona Republic

Weapons measures
Some of the bills aimed at loosening weapons regulations this session:

• Bills: House Bill 2307; Senate Bill 1098.

Sponsors: Rep. Nancy McLain, R-Bullhead City; Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa.

Summary: Exempts any firearm or ammunition manufactured and kept in Arizona from federal regulation, including registration.
Status: Passed by House Judiciary Committee, moves to Rules Committee; Senate bill was held in Senate Judiciary Committee.

• Bills: House Bill 2347; Senate Bill 1102.

Sponsors: Rep. Frank Antenori, R-Tucson; Pearce.

Summary: Would no longer require people to get a concealed-weapon permit. Would make it legal to keep a loaded weapon in a locked vehicle on school grounds and prohibit anybody younger than 21 from carrying a concealed firearm.

Status: House bill referred to House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and the House Judiciary Committee; Senate bill passed Senate Judiciary Committee, moves to Senate Rules.

• Bills: House Bill 2543; Senate Bill 1168.

Sponsors: Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista; Pearce.

Summary: Extends restrictions on local governments from regulating firearms and ammunition to include the purchase, acquisition, storage, licensing or registration of such items. The bill also would prohibit cities and counties from banning firearms in parks.

Status: House bill referred to House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and the House Judiciary Committee; Senate bill referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

• Bill: Senate Bill 1011.

Sponsor: Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise.

Summary: Would allow a faculty member of a state university or community college who has a valid concealed-carry permit to carry a deadly weapon onto school grounds.

Status: Referred to Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee.

• Bill: Senate Bill 1021.

Sponsor: Pearce.

Summary: Would expand instances when a person is justified in using deadly force.

Status: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Rules Committee, moves on to a full Senate vote.

• Bill: Senate Bill 1153.

Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa.

Summary: Would prohibit local government from imposing any regulation on the possession, carrying, sale, transfer or manufacturing of knives.

Status: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee, moves on to Senate Rules Committee.

• Bill: House Bill 2406.

Sponsor: Antenori.

Summary: Would change the requirements for signs prohibiting the possession of weapons in restaurants and bars to within 20 feet of each register, at every entrance and behind the bar. Anybody who brings in a weapon would not violate the law if the signs weren't properly posted. The law currently requires a sign immediately adjacent to the liquor license.

Status: Referred to House Commerce Committee and House Judiciary Committee.

• Bill: Senate Bill 1015.

Sponsor: Harper.

Summary: Would also change the posting requirements for restaurants and bars but does not require the signs at all three areas (near registers, at entrances and behind the bar) - only at one.

Status: Referred to the Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Source: Legislation Online Arizona