Arizona Democrats' Trifecta Puts Gun Owners' Rights on the Line
Arizona Democrats just won full control of the state government for the first time in six decades, and gun control groups are already circulating their legislative wish list for the coming session.
Snapshot
Bearing Arms reports that Democrats flipped both chambers of the Arizona legislature, securing a 37-23 House majority and a 20-10 Senate majority, while Gov. Katie Hobbs remains in office ready to sign gun legislation. The piece notes Giffords has given Arizona an "F" on its gun law scorecard and is pushing an agenda modeled on Virginia's 2020 overhaul.
Key points
- Bigger margins, less leverage: The article explains Democrats no longer need rural members' votes, making it harder for Second Amendment advocates to block bills the way they could with narrower majorities.
- Giffords' agenda: According to the source, the group wants universal background checks, owner licensing with renewals and safety testing, red-flag laws, waiting periods, and restricted concealed carry permits.
- Bans on the table: Bearing Arms notes the wish list also includes banning or heavily restricting open carry, "assault weapons" like the AR-15, and large-capacity magazines.
- Permitless carry at risk: The author predicts Arizona, which pioneered permitless carry in 2010, could be first to repeal it, alongside a possible permit-to-purchase requirement.
- Court fights loom: The piece points out any new laws will likely face legal challenges, though the hostile Ninth Circuit could make temporary losses for gun owners more likely.
Quick take
The author's comparison to Virginia's trifecta-driven gun law overhaul is the key signal here: when Democrats have had similar numbers elsewhere, they haven't moderated their ambitions. Arizona gun owners watching this session should expect most of this list to move, even if a few items get pushed to 2028.
Read the full story: bearingarms.com