State legislative sessions vary (e.g., some are year-round, others biennial), and 2026 bills refer to those introduced or active in 2026. Comprehensive tracking for all 50 states and territories is vast (thousands of bills annually), so below are notable gun-related bills from available as of March 1, 2026. Many states have ongoing sessions, so statuses may change. No specific 2026 bills were identified for U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam), though federal laws apply, and territories like Puerto Rico have strict local gun permit requirements.
Alabama
• Bills advancing sales tax relief on firearms and ammunition. Status: Advanced through committees; pending final votes.
• Auto sear ban (converts semiautomatic weapons to rapid-fire). Passed in 2025; effective 2026.
Arkansas
• No specific 2026 bills listed; state has permitless open carry and is considering a ballot amendment to expand the right to bear arms, including ammunition and accessories. On ballot for November 2026.
Colorado
• SB25-3: Ban on Manufacture/Sale/Transfer of Certain Semiautomatic Firearms – Bans most semiautomatic firearms effective August 1, 2026; requires firearm safety course eligibility card. Passed in 2025; effective 2026.
• Multiple gun bills in House Committee (e.g., storage mandates). Hearing scheduled for March 2, 2026.
Delaware
• Permit to purchase law. Effective November 16, 2025; impacts 2026 purchases.
Hawaii
• Law banning guns on private property open to the public without explicit permission (e.g., stores, restaurants). Upheld by 9th Circuit; oral arguments heard at SCOTUS on January 20, 2026 (Wolford v. Lopez); decision pending.
Maine
• Multiple firearms-related bills in 132nd Legislature (2026 session), including LD 1126 (ghost gun ban, carried over from 2025; awaiting votes). Pro-gun bills in green, anti-gun in red per Gun Owners of Maine tracker. Various statuses: Some passed House/Senate, others in committee.
Maryland
• Assault weapon law (bans certain models unless owned before 10/1/2013). Ongoing; some counties declared Second Amendment sanctuaries. MSI tracker lists dozens of 2026 bills (e.g., permit expansions, storage requirements); statuses vary from introduced to committee.
Minnesota
• Gun control bills (e.g., bans, penalties) stalled in committee as of February 25, 2026. DFL rebooting agenda with sweeping bans.
New Mexico
• 2026 gun control push (e.g., bans) stalled; expected to return.
Oregon
• Permit to purchase system (bolstering Measure 114: background checks, permits, training, 10-round magazine limit). Passed House February 25, 2026; pending Senate. Auto sear/bump stock ban on governor’s desk.
Rhode Island
• HB 5436: Assault Rifle Ban – Bans sale of assault rifles (e.g., AR-style). Passed in 2025; effective 2026 (11th state with such a ban).
Tennessee
• Auto sear ban. Passed in 2025; effective 2026.
Virginia
• Sweeping gun control package passed House February 5, 2026; now in Senate. Includes:
• HB217: Assault Firearms and Large-Capacity Magazines Ban – Prohibits sale/transfer; exemptions for pre-July 1, 2026 ownership. Passed House 58-34; pending Senate.
• Bills on storage rules, expanded gun industry liability, visible handguns in vehicles, and locked firearms in homes with children. VCDL tracker lists 20+ bills (e.g., HB110 fiscal impact on storage). Most in Public Safety Subcommittee; some advanced.
• Sheriffs opposing, citing Second Amendment; some counties pushing sanctuary resolutions.
Washington
• Permit to purchase and other changes effective March 2026.
West Virginia
• Senate Bill 478: Second Amendment Reaffirmation and Protection Act – Protects gun rights if federal laws (e.g., NFA, Gun Control Act) are repealed or ruled unconstitutional. Passed Senate February 12, 2026; pending House.
Other States with Notable 2026 Changes (Aggregated)
• Assault Weapon Bans in 9 States: Effective or expanding in 2026 (includes Colorado, Rhode Island, Virginia; others like California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington already have bans, with potential 2026 expansions). Specific bills vary; e.g., bans on semiautomatic rifles like AR-15s. SCOTUS may rule on bans (e.g., Maryland case denied review in 2025, but pending petitions in Viramontes v. Cook County and National Association for Gun Rights v. Lamont).
• Large-Capacity Magazine Bans: In states like California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington (typically >10 rounds). Court challenges ongoing under Bruen framework.
• Open Carry Laws: Allowed without permit in 36 states (e.g., Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming). Permit required in 8 (e.g., Connecticut, Georgia); prohibited in 6 (California, Florida, Illinois, New York, plus DC).
• Ghost Gun Bans: In states like Maine (LD 1126), others from 2025 sessions effective 2026.
• Auto Sear/Bump Stock Bans: Expanding in Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee.
For unlisted states/territories, no major 2026-specific bills were highlighted in searches, but routine bills (e.g., permit tweaks) may exist.
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