As the calendar flips to 2025, a number of new gun laws are set to take effect across the United States, some strengthening gun rights protections and some simply eroding them. Here’s a look at some of the more notable ones as reported by USA Today that are taking effect.
No Surprise, More Gun Restrictions in California
California remains at the forefront of restrictive gun policies with several new laws going into effect. Among them:
- AB 1483 strengthens the existing one-handgun-per-30-days rule by removing exemptions for private party transactions. However, enforcement is on hold due to ongoing court battles. This legal uncertainty offers a glimmer of hope for gun owners who view the law as an unnecessary limitation.
- AB 1598 requires firearm dealers to distribute pamphlets warning of firearm ownership risks, such as suicide and accidental injury. Critics argue this measure stigmatizes gun ownership rather than addressing root causes of violence.
- AB 2917 expands criteria for gun violence restraining orders to include hate-based threats. While framed as a public safety measure, concerns remain about potential misuse of these orders to infringe on lawful gun owners’ rights.
These laws reflect a continued push by California lawmakers to tighten restrictions, but they also face significant legal and grassroots opposition.
Colorado: Stricter Storage Rules and Concealed Carry Requirements
Colorado’s, or should we say Colofornia’s, new law mandates that handguns stored in unoccupied vehicles must be secured in locked, hard-sided containers out of sight, and the vehicle itself must be locked. Critics note this law could inadvertently put gun owners at greater risk by creating logistical challenges for lawful self-defense.
Additionally, starting July 1, 2025, concealed carry applicants will need to complete an eight-hour training course, including a live-fire component. While training is always valuable, some see these requirements as another hurdle discouraging lawful concealed carry.
New Hampshire: Expanding Gun Rights
In stark contrast to the more oppressive anti-gun states, New Hampshire is bolstering Second Amendment protections with new laws effective Jan. 1.
- HB 1186 prohibits the use of merchant category codes (MCCs) to track firearm-related purchases, safeguarding privacy for gun owners.
- HB 1336 ensures employees can securely store firearms in locked vehicles without employer interference.
Efforts to introduce more restrictive gun laws, such as reporting mental health information to federal background checks, failed in the legislature. New Hampshire’s actions reflect a strong pro-gun stance, even amid calls for tighter controls following a high-profile shooting in 2023.
Kentucky: Shielding Gun Owners’ Privacy
Like New Hampshire, Kentucky joins a growing list of states enacting laws to prohibit the use of MCCs for gun retailers, a policy backed by the NRA. The ban takes effect in 2025, aiming to protect gun owners from potential financial discrimination while reinforcing privacy rights.
New York and Minnesota: More Restrictions
Meanwhile, New York’s new measures include mandatory warning signs at gun dealerships alerting potential buyers to the inherent dangers of firearms in the home (which is none if you adhere to gun safety practices) and a statewide registry for extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), expanding the state’s already restrictive landscape.
Minnesota’s ban on binary triggers also goes into effect, further limiting firearm modifications. Such measures are seen by many as part of a broader agenda to incrementally restrict gun ownership.
The new year will be no different than others as state legislatures are set to push more gun laws with Democratic majority houses pushing more gun control and Republican-led houses pushing more freedom. Check back with TTAG frequently to see what news is coming down the line … and more importantly, what may affect you.
