Arizona's New Democratic Majority Puts Gun Rights Squarely in Its Sights

Arizona Democrats now control the governorship and both legislative chambers for the first time in 60 years, and Bearing Arms' Cam Edwards reports that gun-control groups like Giffords are positioned to push a long list of new restrictions through with little room for Second Amendment advocates to block them.

Snapshot

Democrats flipped the Arizona House to a 37-23 majority and the Senate to 20-10, giving them enough votes to lose some members and still pass legislation. Edwards writes that Giffords, which rates Arizona an "F" on its gun law scorecard, has a detailed wish list ready, and with Gov. Katie Hobbs likely to sign, the main obstacles left are courtroom challenges rather than legislative ones.

Key points

• Bigger majorities: Democrats gained enough seats in both chambers that rural members who might balk at gun control can't single-handedly block bills, Edwards notes.
• Giffords' agenda: The group is pushing universal background checks, owner licensing with renewals and safety training, red-flag laws, waiting periods, and restrictions on concealed and open carry.
• Bans on the table: Giffords also wants to ban so-called assault weapons like the AR-15 and large-capacity magazines, according to the article.
• Permitless carry at risk: Edwards predicts Arizona, the first state to adopt permitless carry in 2010, could become the first to repeal it.
• Courts as backstop: Edwards expects legal challenges, but warns the Ninth Circuit's hostility to gun rights could let temporary restrictions take effect before cases are resolved.

Quick take

Edwards argues Arizona Democrats, like Virginia's before them, are unlikely to moderate even if their mandate wasn't built solely on gun control. For permit holders and concealed carriers, the piece frames 2026 as a session where the legislative math favors the gun-control lobby more than it has in decades.

Read the full story: bearingarms.com