Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 6, 2017 National HR 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (231 - 198)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Nov. 8, 2017 MI SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Oct. 26, 2017 IL HB 4117 Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Failed - House (48 - 54)
Oct. 11, 2017 OH HB 79 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
Oct. 11, 2017 MA Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
Sept. 15, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Sept. 12, 2017 CA AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Sept. 11, 2017 CA AB 424 Amends School Gun Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
July 6, 2017 OR SB 719 Authorizes Court to Prohibit Suicidal Individuals from Owning Guns Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
July 6, 2017 OH HB 233 Amends Regulations of Gun-Free Zones Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
June 28, 2017 PA SB 383 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
June 26, 2017 RI HB 5510A Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Restraining Order from Possessing a Firearm Bill Passed - House (56 - 13)
June 7, 2017 MI HB 4416 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Firearms Without Permits Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
May 1, 2017 OR SB 719 Prohibits Individuals with Risk of Suicide from Owning Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 27, 2017 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 21)
April 26, 2017 PA HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
April 19, 2017 LA SB 22 Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
April 17, 2017 NV AB 118 Revises Provisions Governing the Issuance of Permits to Carry Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (34 - 4)
April 12, 2017 AZ HB 2244 Establishes Reciprocity for Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
April 11, 2017 AL SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
April 5, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34)
April 5, 2017 SC H 3930 Amends Handgun Carry Rules Bill Passed - House (64 - 46)
April 4, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 30, 2017 GA HB 280 Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (96 - 70)
March 29, 2017 MT HB 494 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 28, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
March 28, 2017 ND HB 1310 Amends Concealed Carry Laws Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27)
March 27, 2017 TX SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 26, 2017 NC HB 174 Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
March 22, 2017 VT HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
March 16, 2017 TN HB 688 Authorizes Carry of Firearms on Boats Bill Passed - House (79 - 12)
March 16, 2017 National HR 1181 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 175)
March 15, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
March 7, 2017 IA HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 4, 2017 NM SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 2, 2017 UT HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
March 1, 2017 AZ SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2017 AZ HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2017 SD HB 1072 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
Feb. 21, 2017 ND HB 1169 Establishes Updated Regulations for Concealed Carry of a Firearm Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
Feb. 21, 2017 UT HB 198 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18 to 20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (63 - 12)
Feb. 21, 2017 IN HB 1071 Authorizes Individuals with a Protective Order to Carry a Handgun without a License Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
Feb. 15, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
Feb. 15, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
Feb. 3, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. (64 - 31)
Feb. 2, 2017 National H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 180)
Jan. 19, 2017 NH SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/06 HR 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (231 - 198)
11/08 SB 366 Authorizes 18-Year-Olds to Obtain Concealed Carry Permits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
11/08 SB 586 Prohibits Localities from Placing Restrictions on Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
10/26 HB 4117 Prohibits Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Failed - House (48 - 54)
10/11 HB 79 Authorizes Certain Medical Professionals to Carry Firearms while on Duty Bill Passed - House (90 - 7)
10/11 Amdt 1 Prohibits Sale or Possession of "Bump Stocks" Bill Passed - House (152 - 3)
9/15 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
9/12 AJR 24 Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
9/11 AB 424 Amends School Gun Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (44 - 27)
7/06 SB 719 Authorizes Court to Prohibit Suicidal Individuals from Owning Guns Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
7/06 HB 233 Amends Regulations of Gun-Free Zones Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
6/28 SB 383 Authorizes Teachers to Carry Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
6/26 HB 5510A Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Restraining Order from Possessing a Firearm Bill Passed - House (56 - 13)
6/07 HB 4416 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Firearms Without Permits Bill Passed - House (59 - 49)
5/01 SB 719 Prohibits Individuals with Risk of Suicide from Owning Deadly Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/27 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 21)
4/26 HB 671 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Local Governments with Gun Ordinances Bill Passed - House (134 - 53)
4/19 SB 22 Redefines Hunting Supplies for Purposes of Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
4/17 AB 118 Revises Provisions Governing the Issuance of Permits to Carry Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (34 - 4)
4/12 HB 2244 Establishes Reciprocity for Concealed Weapons Permits Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
4/11 SB 193 Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
4/05 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34)
4/05 H 3930 Amends Handgun Carry Rules Bill Passed - House (64 - 46)
4/04 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/30 HB 280 Authorizes Concealed Carry on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (96 - 70)
3/29 HB 494 Authorizes Concealed Carry in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/28 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - House (32 - 23)
3/28 HB 1310 Amends Concealed Carry Laws Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 27)
3/27 SB 16 Reduces Fee for Firearm Carry Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/26 HB 174 Authorizes Concealed Handguns at Certain Church Services Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
3/22 HB 422 Requires Law Enforcement to Remove Firearms from the Scene of an Alleged Domestic Assault Bill Passed - House (78 - 60)
3/16 HB 688 Authorizes Carry of Firearms on Boats Bill Passed - House (79 - 12)
3/16 HR 1181 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 175)
3/15 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
3/07 HF 517 Authorizes Use of Deadly Force when Deemed Necessary Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/04 SB 259 Prohibits Certain Individuals from Possessing or Purchasing Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/02 HB 259 Authorizes the Discharge of Firearm for Self-Defense Bill Passed - House (53 - 15)
3/01 SB 1122 Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/28 HB 1243 Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/23 HB 1072 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit Bill Passed - House (37 - 30)
2/21 HB 1169 Establishes Updated Regulations for Concealed Carry of a Firearm Bill Passed - House (83 - 9)
2/21 HB 198 Authorizes Individuals Aged 18 to 20 to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit Bill Passed - House (63 - 12)
2/21 HB 1071 Authorizes Individuals with a Protective Order to Carry a Handgun without a License Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
2/15 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95)
2/15 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43)
2/03 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. (64 - 31)
2/02 H J Res 40 Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 180)
1/19 SB 12 Repeals the Licensing Requirement For Carrying A Concealed Pistol or Revolver Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 10)

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