Going state by state, there's a wide variance in gun laws between them, and several state lawmakers have taken such strong stances on gun legislation in recent years that they've breached the national consciousness.
Here are four state lawmakers that have made national news for their politics on gun laws:
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1. Missouri state Sen. Brian Nieves, who’s been fighting to weaken the federal government’s control over firearms in his state, has been outspoken lately on defying federal gun control through so-called “nullification” laws.
“I think the president and the majority of Congress, both in the House and Senate, are just completely out of touch with how people feel about Second Amendment rights,” Nieves said.
2. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal made news when he signed Georgia's Safe Carry Protection Act of 2014, dubbed the “guns everywhere” law by critics, which permits licensed gun owners and visitors from 28 other states to bring a gun into public institutions, businesses, and federal buildings that don’t have strict security measures. The measure also allows religious leaders and school administrators to decide whether or not they want employees or visitors toting firearms on the premises.
"Our state has some of the best protections for gun owners in the United States. And today we strengthen those rights protected by our nation's most revered founding document," Deal said the day of the bill signing.
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3. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick made news when he signed a bill in August that overhauled the gun laws in Massachusetts, which were already considered some of the toughest in the nation. Patrick said the new regulations will aid in curbing gun violence and protect the community.
Among the state's sweeping changes are the creation of an online portal within the Executive Office of Public Safety, which allows for real-time background checks, stiffer penalties for weapon-based crimes, a tracking unit for the state police, and a requirement that Massachusetts join the National Instant Background Check System.
4. In 2013, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo passed tough legislation, known as the S.A.F.E. Act — Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, which overhauled the state's gun laws, partly in response to the Newtown shooting incident. Under Cuomo,
New York has some of the strictest gun regulations in the nation, including the most expansive ban on assault weapons.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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