Volume 2023, Issue 2 – May 2023
An Uphill Slog
Firearms are the great equalizers. They put the 89-year-old grandmother on equal footing with the 6’4” street thug. They give the person on crutches or in a wheelchair a fighting chance against someone younger and stronger who means to do them harm. As Ken Hackathorn and many others have said over the years, skill at arms is “America’s Martial Art.” Law-abiding citizens that have the means to protect themselves and their loved ones against harm makes all of us safer, everyday.
Your governor does not agree, however. Katie Hobbs has set a new record for the largest number of vetoes issued in a single legislative session at 64, as of this writing. She has surpassed Janet Napolitano’s previous record of 58 vetoes. Her justification is, “I promised to deliver sanity, not chaos in the governor’s office and I am delivering.” Translation: “I despise everything the legislature does and I mean to stop it.”
Hobbs has done a lot of explaining when it comes to her vetoes, issuing statements on nearly all of them. The overarching theme is that her primary interest is public safety and the bills she vetoed would have reduced it. Of course, many of those bills were either AzCDL-sponsored or AzCDL-supported. And, of course, most of them were intended to improve safety and individual freedom.
Below, you’ll find a partial list of bills that the governor killed this session. These bills survived the introduction and committee assignment processes, made it through several subcommittees, and were passed by a chamber of the state legislature before being transmitted to the other chamber and surviving the entire process a second time. They were good bills.
As AzCDL co-founder and President Emeritus Dave Kopp often said, “Elections have consequences.”
–Michael Gibbs
AzCDL President
Good bills vetoed by the Governor.
HB 2332, Firearms safety; training; schools
Vetoed by Governor. April 17, 2023
Schools would have been required to provide students in grades 6 through 12 with training in firearms safety in an age-appropriate manner unless their parents opted-out. Students would NOT have handled real firearms, instead being taught what to do if they ever encounter one. Children are naturally curious about pretty much everything and the governor took away an opportunity to teach them how to stay safe around guns.
HB 2394, Firearms; sovereign authority
Vetoed by Governor. April 18, 2023
The state and its political subdivisions would have been prohibited from using any resources to participate in any federal tax or fee imposed on firearms or ammunition not common to other goods. The anti-commandeering principle, affirmed in no fewer than five U.S. Supreme Court decisions, makes it clear that states are under no obligation to help enforce federal laws or regulations, regardless of their Constitutionality.
SB 1096, Firearms; contracts; prohibited practices
Vetoed by Governor. March 28, 2023
A “public entity” would have been prohibited from entering into a contract worth $100,000 or more with a company unless the contract includes a written certification that the company does not, and will not, discriminate against a “firearm entity”. The state of Arizona should not be doing business with companies that do not support our values.
SB 1109, Prohibited weapons; muffling device; repeal
Vetoed by Governor. April 11, 2023
Would have removed suppressors from the definition of “prohibited weapon.” Although suppressors are safety devices that protect the hearing of shooters and those nearby, the governor claims they are “dangerous weapons.” Perhaps she’s seen one too many Hollywood movies where “silencers” have made gunshots inaudible. Sorry, Governor, they don’t.
SB 1331, Schools; parents; firearm possession
Vetoed by Governor. April 17, 2023
Schools would have been prohibited from preventing the parent of a student from carrying a firearm on school property if the parent possesses a valid concealed weapons permit. When the state issues a CCW permit, it does so because the applicant has completed the required training and passed a background check. Being on school grounds doesn’t turn them into murderers, Governor, it allows them to protect their children from harm.
SB 1428, Political subdivisions; gun shows; preemption
Vetoed by Governor. April 06, 2023
Political subdivisions would not have been able to prohibit a gun show from occurring there or apply any ordinance that effectively prohibits a gun show from occurring. It’s not about politics, Governor, gun shows are among the safest places to be.
The news isn’t all bad, though. The governor did apply her signature to a few bills, including one of ours.
HB 2019, Licensing; permitting; criteria; clarity
Signed by Governor. April 18, 2023
If a city or county requires a license or permit for any constitutionally-protected activity, it is required to state in clear and unambiguous terms the criteria for granting it. In most cases, they will be required to grant or deny an application for such a license or permit within 30 days.
Good bills still in play.
HB 2544, Arizona manufactured; modified firearms
A firearm, accessory or ammunition that is “modified” in Arizona and remains within the borders of Arizona is not subject to federal law or federal regulation and is not considered to have traveled in interstate commerce. Seems like common sense, doesn’t it?
HB 2617, Carrying of firearms; constables
Properly qualified constables and deputy constables who possess a valid CCW permit or completes a background investigation approved by the AZPOST Board cannot be prohibited from carrying a firearm except under a list of specified circumstances where all peace officers may be prohibited from carrying a firearm.
HB 2667 and SB 1300
Universities, and colleges are prohibited from enforcing any policy or rule that prohibits the possession of a concealed weapon by a person who possesses a valid concealed weapons permit, or that prohibits the transportation or storage of a firearm.
HB 2705, Schools; safety training; pilot program
Establishes the School Active Threat Response Pilot Program in the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to provide school safety training and support to school districts and charter schools. Appropriates $10 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to ADE for the Program.
Good bills that failed in the legislature.
SB 1427, Carrying of firearms; exceptions
Numerous changes to statutes relating to firearms, including that a person cannot be prohibited from possessing a firearm except in a detention facility; by a court order; in a secured police facility; or the person is a prohibited possessor. A person may possess a firearm while on the premises of a liquor retailer and may consume liquor. Liquor licensees could no longer post a sign prohibiting weapons.
HB 2170, Provisional concealed weapons permit
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) would have been required to issue a provisional concealed weapons permit to a person who is between 18 and 21 years of age and who is properly qualified.
We managed to stop all of the anti-freedom firearm bills while they were still in the legislature. Here are a few.
SB 1480 and HB 2192
Would have made it a crime to store a firearm without using a lock on the trigger or placing the firearm in a securely locked box.
SB 1538, Unlawful securing of firearms; minors
Would have made it a felony if a minor obtained access to a readily dischargeable firearm because the person fails to take steps that a reasonable person would taken to prevent it. What will a court consider “reasonable”?
HB 2178, Patient information; gun safety; appropriation
Would have required doctors and nurse practitioners to inform parents of gun safety measures that may be implemented in the home.
HB 2179, 2181, 2182
With a few variations, they all would have required “transfers” of firearms to be handled by a license firearms dealer after completing a background check on the recipient. A transfer could be as simple as loaning a gun to a friend or relative.
HB 2180, Firearm purchases; waiting period; offense
Would have imposed a three day waiting limit on firearm purchases.
HB 2184, Severe threat order of protection
Would have implemented Severe Threat Orders of Protection (STOP), violating the 5th, 6th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Make someone angry enough and they could claim you are a danger to yourself or others and have your firearms confiscated with little or no recourse.\
HB 2191, State law; local violation; repeal.
Would have repealed authority for the Attorney General to investigate any action taken by a city or county alleged to violate state law or the state Constitution.
HB 2193, Underage persons; possession; ownership; firearms
Would have made it a felony for a person under 21 years of age to possess a firearm without being accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Bills Passed, Vetoed, Killed & Signed
The legislative session is moving slowly due to the need to replace two legislators. Nonetheless, there are some notable accomplishments to report. So far, there have been 1632 bills posted, 196 bills passed, 64 bills vetoed, and 113 bills signed. Additionally, 104 memorials and resolutions have been posted, with 20 passed.
Good News
Despite the vetoes, there is some good news. Three of our bills have been signed into law:
HB 2019 Licensing; Permitting; Criteria; Clarity
HB 2485 Ambush; Police; Sentencing
SB 1036 Setting Aside Conviction; Eligibility
These bills address issues ranging from clarifying criteria for licensing and permitting to enhancing sentencing for police ambushes and setting aside convictions for certain offenses.
Bad News
On the other hand, there are seven bills that have been vetoed:
HB 2332 Firearms Safety; Training; Schools
HB 2394 Firearms; Sovereign Authority
HB 2427 Domestic Violence; Pregnant Victim; Sentencing
SB 1096 Firearms; Contracts; Prohibited Practices
SB 1109 Muffling Device; Repeal
SB 1331 Schools; Parents; Firearm Possession
SB 1428 Political Subdivisions; Gun Shows
While having seven bills vetoed can be disheartening, it is important to remember that AZCDL was able to help get seven good bills to the Governor’s desk.
Killed Bills
More good news is that we were able to make sure 16 bills never got across the finish line. In fact, they were killed early in the process.
What’s Next?
Several bills are still being worked at the Capitol. As always, it is important to keep an eye out for Action Alerts and click the links to e-mail your legislators.
Despite the slow pace of the session, we’ve had some success in getting bills signed into law. While there have been some setbacks, advocates are continuing to work on important issues and fighting for change. Out of the 41 bills that impact firearms owners in Arizona, we got zero bad bills to worry about. I’ll take that win any day.
Keep practicing your freedom!
-Michael Infanzon, EPIC Policy Group
AzCDL Chief Lobbyist
Governor Vetoes Child Safety
Governor Katie Hobbs cares more about politics than the safety of your children. The proof? She VETOED child safety education in our schools. Teaching our children how to be safe is the least controversial thing any of us could do.
From their earliest ages we teach our children how to safely interact with pools of water, busy crosswalks, and kitchen knives. Training children takes away the forbidden curiosity that comes with making items like firearms mysterious and taboo. It is only when the topic is “firearms” that we suddenly decide that political agendas will dictate how well we train our children. It is inexcusably irresponsible to not empower our children with knowledge on how to be safe around firearms.
HB 2332 even allowed for parents to opt out, so those who want their children to stay uninformed and less safe would have been free to do so. When MY children are trained to be safe, it makes YOUR children safer as well, which is why offering this education is not only appropriate, it is invaluable and necessary.
In my own home we make education and safety a priority. My little 3-year old granddaughter will skip into the kitchen, open the cutlery drawer filled with sharp and pointy forks and knives. She will reach in, right past all the sharps, to grab her favorite pink spoon and head off to eat her ice cream. No drama. No special laws. No legislative hearings needed. Why? Because she has been taught what knives are to be used for and that they are not toys. HB2332 would have done the same thing for a different tool—firearms.
–Cheryl Todd
AzCDL Vice President
FASTER Saves Lives
The AzCDL Foundation is working hard keep our children and citizens safe by bringing proven emergency training to our schools and churches. It is called FASTER Saves Lives and we want our members to help get the word out!
FASTER has been quietly saving lives across the nation for a decade and has trained over 3000 people in 300 Districts across 22 States. FASTER training includes emergency medical techniques as well as both armed and unarmed response.
FASTER was developed by professionals in education, emergency medicine, and disaster management. The AzCDL Foundation board includes a professional firearms trainer, a medical doctor, and a professional educator, who have all taken this training. It is a rigorous program—to become certified you must qualify with your firearm to a higher level than a police officer.
The AzCDL Foundation holds FASTER training every few weeks. Normally $2,500 per trainee, thanks to some generous donations we have been able to issue full scholarships and are currently able to offer it at no cost to trainees.
There are about 1590 public schools in Arizona employing 49,841 educators. Thanks to our very kind donors, the Foundation can train 4,000 attendees this year. Please visit
AZCDLFoundation.org to learn more about FASTER, sign up for our next class, and consider becoming a donor.
Help us get this information into the hands of every school and church! FASTER has the answer to protecting our schools, churches, and precious children.
—Kim Bishop
AzCDL Foundation Secretary/Treasurer
Are You One in a Thousand?
If you love that AzCDL is busy protecting your rights 24/7, it’s time to volunteer and be a part of our mission
Most of you know about our volunteers, those dedicated people who give up a part of their weekends to sit at our tables, staring at the passers-by in search of cheap ammo, unobtainium guns, or the latest ‘must have’ accessory, but oblivious to how close their right to keep and bear arms is to extinction. After all, this is Arizona, the #1 gun-friendly state for 8 consecutive years, and “It can’t happen here.”
Actually, yes it can, and quite possibly may have, except for one small segment of that gun-owning public: the Arizona Citizens Defense League. We’ve been extremely fortunate to have had some of the most effective lobbyists to address the legislature, backed by an ever-increasing group of people unafraid to remind our elected officials who they work for, and of their sworn duty under the Constitutions of the United States and the great State of Arizona.
The problem we face is that fewer of our members than ever are volunteering, and the leadership necessary to train them, supervise their efforts, and coordinate everything involved in running a table at gun shows, political events or club meetings is a vanishing breed. Our first and second generations of coordinators have ‘aged out’—retired, become physically unable to continue, moved out of state, or drifted off to that big range in the sky where guns never jam and magazines never run dry.
With over 22,000 members, we’ve never had 20 active Coordinators at the same time. Coordinators are a hardy bunch though, handling shows across the state, sometimes driving hundreds of miles in the dead of night after work on Friday and returning Sunday for a scant few hours sleep before Monday’s workday. The coordinators we trained to cover those areas are mostly gone, and gone without training their replacements.
Do you care enough about your right to keep and bear arms to give up the occasional weekend or, more rarely, the occasional evening or lunch? Do you enjoy learning as much as teaching? Do you think you can reach fellow gun owners beyond the confines of gun shows?
Do you have what it takes to be that one in a thousand? Contact Duke at AmericanIcon@protonmail.com—we want to train you!
–Duke Schechter
AzCDL Director
AzCDL Director Election
To promote continuity in leadership, the terms of office for AzCDL’s directors are staggered. This year, the director position held by our Secretary and Treasurer, Tom Woodrow is due to expire.
While Tom is seeking reelection, the nomination process is open to all members, and all those nominated will appear on the ballot. If there is only one nominee for a position, there will not be a balloting process.
If you are an AzCDL Life member interested in competing for either of these positions on the AzCDL Board of Directors, you may nominate yourself or be nominated by any other member.
If you would like to nominate someone else, you must provide a personal verification from the nominee, including the nominee’s signature and membership number, indicating they want to be on the ballot.
Candidate biographies and/or statements are welcomed.
Mail all nomination requests to:
AzCDL Membership
P.O. Box 86256
Tucson, AZ 85754
You may also e-mail nominations to:
treasurer@AzCDL.org
A readable, scanned image of the nominee’s personal verification document attached to an e-mail may be considered acceptable if, in thesole judgment of AzCDL’s Board of Directors, itcan be verified as authentic.
All nominations must be received by AzCDL by midnight, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Any nomination received after June 24, 2023 will not be placed on the ballot.
If you include a candidate biography and/or a statement of why they/you should be elected, it must be limited to a single 8.5” x 11” page using standard margins and line spacing, and a font size equivalent to Arial 10. Any legitimate candidate statement timely received will be made available to members during the balloting process.