Josh Weiner
As 2025 begins, multiple states are rolling out new gun laws addressing both gun safety and Second Amendment rights. With nearly 500 mass shootings recorded in 2024, gun violence remains a significant issue in the United States, despite declining overall crime rates since the pandemic. These new regulations reflect efforts to strike a balance between safety and constitutional rights while responding to the evolving political and social landscape.
The National Landscape: Progress and Division
Gun policy saw notable activity in 2024, with advocates on both sides claiming victories. Organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety praised legislative advancements in several states aimed at reducing gun violence. Monisha Henley, senior vice president for government affairs at Everytown, stated, “Gun safety isn’t just good policy—it’s good politics,” emphasizing the lack of any major rollbacks on safety regulations in 2024.
Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association (NRA) highlighted successes in expanding gun rights, including the passage of permitless carry laws in South Carolina and Louisiana and the defeat of firearm bans in states like Colorado and Maine. “Second Amendment rights were protected and expanded in several states in 2024,” said John Commerford, interim executive director of the NRA-ILA.
Key State Laws Coming Into Effect
California
California continues to lead in implementing stringent gun safety measures. Several new laws will take effect on January 1:
- AB 1483: Restricts individuals from applying for more than one handgun purchase within a 30-day period, though enforcement is currently delayed due to court challenges.
- AB 1598: Mandates firearm dealers to provide educational pamphlets on the risks of gun ownership, including suicide and accidental injury.
- AB 2917: Expands criteria for gun violence restraining orders, specifically including threats motivated by hate.
Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated the state’s commitment to proactive measures, stating, “California won’t wait for the next tragedy to act.”
Colorado
Colorado’s new laws emphasize secure firearm storage and stricter concealed carry requirements:
- As of January 1, firearms left in unoccupied vehicles must be locked in a hard-sided container out of sight, with exceptions for certain circumstances.
- Starting July 2025, concealed carry applicants must complete an eight-hour training program, including a live-fire exercise and written exam.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire expanded gun rights in 2024, with two key laws taking effect on January 1:
- HB 1186: Prohibits the use of merchant category codes (MCCs) to track firearm purchases, safeguarding privacy.
- HB 1336: Ensures employees can store firearms in locked vehicles, overriding workplace restrictions.
Kentucky
Kentucky joins 10 states prohibiting the use of MCCs for firearm retailers. The law, effective January 1, reflects broader resistance to financial oversight measures supported by gun control advocates.
Minnesota, New York, and Delaware
Other states also introduce significant changes:
- Minnesota: Bans binary triggers, which enable guns to fire with both a pull and release of the trigger.
- New York: Requires gun dealers to display warning signs about the risks of firearm ownership and establishes a statewide registry for extreme risk protection orders.
- Delaware: Expands Safe School Zone laws to include university campuses, making firearm possession on these properties a felony.
Looking Ahead
As states implement these new laws, debates over gun safety and rights are expected to continue. The incoming Trump administration, coupled with a Republican majority in Congress, could influence federal policies on firearms. Meanwhile, states remain at the forefront of shaping regulations that reflect their unique perspectives and priorities.
As 2025 unfolds, these measures underscore the ongoing challenge of addressing gun violence while respecting constitutional freedoms, with both sides determined to shape the national dialogue.
