As the surge in violent crimes associated with the pandemic wanes, gun violence continues to afflict communities across the United States.
In 2024, nearly 500 mass shootings were recorded, as per data from Gun Violence America. The most devastating occurred in January in a Chicago suburb, resulting in the loss of eight lives. In response to a school shooting in Wisconsin, President Joe Biden underscored his administration’s initiatives to mitigate gun violence, emphasizing the significance of groundbreaking gun safety legislation enacted in the past three decades.
“However, more action is required,” Biden stated, stressing the urgency of further measures.
States have independently taken strides in instituting firearm regulations. Here’s an overview of legislative movements in 2024 and a preview of new laws taking effect in 2025.
Perspectives from Gun Safety Advocates and Second Amendment Supporters on 2024 Developments
The majority of state-level firearm regulations slated for 2025 aim to enhance public safety, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization advocating for gun violence prevention.
“America’s epidemic of gun violence isn’t an unavoidable reality; it’s the predictable outcome of political inertia serving the gun lobby’s interests,” remarked Monisha Henley, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Everytown, in a statement to USA TODAY. “As the New Year dawns, not a single substantive law reversing progress on gun safety will take effect, whereas numerous measures to protect our communities will. One fact remains indisputable: gun safety is not only sound policy—it’s effective politics.”
Conversely, the National Rifle Association (NRA) highlighted significant achievements in 2024. John Commerford, Interim Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, celebrated the election of a “pro-gun president” and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress.
“Despite gun control advocates’ frustrations, Second Amendment rights were preserved and expanded across several states in 2024,” Commerford stated.
The NRA lauded states such as South Carolina and Louisiana for enacting laws allowing lawful firearm owners to carry weapons without permits. Additionally, the organization pointed to the unsuccessful attempts in Colorado, Maine, and New Mexico to ban specific firearm categories.
Key Gun Laws Effective January 1, 2025
California’s Progressive Gun Safety Measures
In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved a series of robust firearm safety laws. These initiatives include mandates for schools to develop safety strategies and the establishment of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, with various deadlines spanning upcoming years.
Effective January 1, these laws include:
- AB 1483: Reinforces the prohibition of purchasing more than one handgun within 30 days by eliminating exemptions for private party transactions. However, due to legal challenges, enforcement remains on hold pending court resolution, as stated by the California Department of Justice on December 27.
- AB 1598: Compels firearm retailers to distribute informational pamphlets detailing the risks associated with gun ownership, such as heightened household vulnerability to suicide, homicide, and accidental injuries.
- AB 2917: Broadens the criteria for gun violence restraining orders to encompass threats motivated by hate or bias.
Colorado’s Secure Storage and Training Mandates
As of January 1, handguns stored in unoccupied vehicles in Colorado must be secured in locked, hard-sided containers, concealed from plain view. Vehicles must also remain locked, with limited exceptions.
Later in 2025, new requirements for concealed carry permits will come into effect, mandating an eight-hour training course, including a written test and live-fire demonstration. Individuals with specific misdemeanor convictions within five years will be ineligible for permits.
New Hampshire’s Enhanced Gun Rights
The Granite State enacted laws exclusively expanding gun rights in 2024, with key provisions effective January 1:
- HB 1186: Strengthens privacy protections by prohibiting the use of merchant category codes for firearm-related transactions.
- HB 1336: Prevents employers from banning employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles.
- SB 322: Offers legal protection for law enforcement officers issuing gun licenses in good faith.
Kentucky Aligns with NRA-Endorsed Measures
Kentucky joins a growing number of states outlawing the use of merchant category codes (MCCs) for gun-related purchases. MCCs, utilized by financial institutions to categorize transactions, have been a focal point of NRA-backed legislation.
Effective January 1, Kentucky’s prohibition follows similar measures adopted in 2024 by nine other states, with several more states enforcing or considering analogous legislation.
The Path Ahead
As 2025 commences, the debate over gun legislation remains deeply polarized. Advocates for gun safety emphasize the life-saving potential of regulations, while Second Amendment proponents celebrate efforts to preserve individual freedoms. The evolving legislative landscape underscores the complexity of balancing public safety with constitutional rights.
