Firearm Safety Act reintroduced by Issa and Stefanik
In a significant development, Representatives Darrell Issa (Rep.-R-CA-48) and Elise Stefanik have reintroduced the Modern Firearm Safety Act (H.R. 4676). This bill aims to nullify handgun roster laws in states such as California and New York, which critics argue are not safety measures but de facto bans.
The Modern Firearm Safety Act champions the principle that "the Second Amendment is not a second-class right." It leverages the post-Bruen shift toward historical-meaning scrutiny to challenge modern gun-control measures currently in place. The Act directly targets state-level mandates, specifically prohibiting states from enforcing handgun roster laws that restrict model availability under the guise of safety.
This move is part of a larger Republican-led effort to push back against perceived overreach in blue states. Key elements of this broader initiative include federal prohibitions on state excise taxes that target firearm and ammunition sales. Stefanik, chair of House GOP leadership, criticized handgun rosters as tools wielded by Democrats to deter legal gun ownership through indirect bans.
Meanwhile, California remains among the strictest gun-control states. In 2024, it levied an 11% excise tax on gun and ammunition sales. The U.S. Department of Justice has also initiated investigations into local entities that delay or deny carry rights, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which has been accused of prolonged delays in concealed carry licensing.
In a separate development, a federal appeals court in the 9th Circuit ruled that California's law requiring background checks for ammunition purchases is unconstitutional. This ruling adds to the picture of coordinated federal and judicial pushback against California's restrictive policies.
On the other hand, several appeals courts have reaffirmed much of New York's concealed carry regulations, including restrictions around "sensitive areas" and its "good moral character" licensing requirements. The NY SAFE Act of 2013 established universal background checks, bans on assault weapons, and strict magazine limits, later modified to allow 10-round magazines.
The developments paint a picture: California's restrictive policies are now facing coordinated federal and judicial pushback, while New York's regulations, though stringent, have largely stood the test of time. If enacted, the Modern Firearm Safety Act would help reshape the dynamic between state-level regulation and federally protected rights. The Act seeks to rein in state regulatory overreach, particularly where laws function as indirect bans rather than genuine safety protocols.
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