Why It Matters: For most hunters, reaching for a favorite rifle or shotgun is part and parcel of getting ready to head out for our favorite season opener. Of course, guns play an integral role not only in our hunting pursuits, but recreational shooting too. In fact, around eighty percent of the revenue in the Pittman-Robertson fund comes from gun and ammo purchases made by recreational shooters. So, when legislation regarding firearms moves in a legislature, it bears paying attention to because it affects us all, and the wildlife and habitats we hold dear, even if firearms and Second Amendment issues aren’t one’s personal priority.
Highlights:
- Arizona Senate Bill 1143 (SB 1143), titled “Firearms Transactions; Merchant Codes; Prohibition,” seeks to prohibit the use of Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) within Arizona.
- Arizona Senate Bill 1705 (SB 1705), titled “Firearms; State Preemption; Civil Penalty,” seeks to enforce preemption laws by enacting various penalties against government officials who violate them.
- Both bills have passed out of the Senate and await further action in the House where the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and partners will continue to voice support.
Pro-sportsmen legislators in Arizona are working on a handful of gun related bills that would benefit hunters and sport shooters within the Grand Canyon State. The first, SB 1143, seeks to prohibit banking institutions from utilizing specific merchant category codes that identify purchases made at any retailer that sells firearms or ammunition. If SB 1143 becomes law, credit and debit card networks will be prohibited from requiring MCCs that distinguish firearm retailers from other retailers, and distinguishing purchases made at any of those firearms retailers. This would protect the privacy of everyone, even people who merely buy something like a sleeping bag or camp stove at a store that also sells guns or ammo. SB 1143 also establishes civil penalties and injunction options, enforceable by Arizona county prosecutors or the Arizona Attorney General.
Next, Arizona already has preemption laws which ensure that the state’s firearms laws are uniform, and that Arizonans aren’t legal in one place but in violation of a gun law once they cross an invisible line. Despite this, however, certain cities have ignored this sensible protection. SB 1705 seeks to strengthen Arizona’s existing firearm preemption laws by allowing Arizona courts to impose a $5,000 penalty on any government official within the state who violates the preemption laws. Further, SB 1705 even prohibits local governments from using public funds to defend or reimburse government officials who violate this law.
Both important pieces of legislation expand protections for law abiding sportsmen and women. So far, each has been passed by the Senate and await further action in the House of Representatives. CSF will continue to work with legislators and our in-state partners to support Arizona SB 1143 and 1705, and will engage as necessary on any other legislation affecting the sporting-conservation community.
