HB2394

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Constitution permits the state to exercise its sovereign authority to restrict the use of state personnel and resources to purposes consistent with the Constitution, including through legislation or any other available legal remedy. If the state exercises this authority, the state and its political subdivisions are prohibited from using any personnel or resources to enforce, administer or cooperate with the designated federal action or program ( Ariz.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would clarify that federal firearm measures that may not be enforced if inconsistent with Arizona law include any tax, levy, fee or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition not common to all other goods and services and that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to create an operative state process for firearms instead of leaving implementation undefined. It would clarify that federal firearm measures that may not be enforced if inconsistent with Arizona law include any tax, levy, fee or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition not common to all other goods and services and that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.