SB 1053 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

wildlife; firearms discharge; structures; distance

SB 1053 amends Arizona law to clarify when discharging a firearm is illegal, specifically prohibiting it within municipal limits unless exceptions apply. It directly affects hunters, range users, and residents near occupied structures by defining "occupied structure" (any building where people might reasonably be present) and allowing local governments to restrict discharges within one-fourth mile of such structures without owner consent. Key provisions include exempting wildlife hunting during open seasons (per Arizona Game and Fish Commission rules), shooting range use, self-defense against animal attacks, and preemption of local firearm ordinances that conflict with state law - except for the one-fourth mile buffer zone. The bill ensures state law overrides stricter local rules on firearm possession, sale, or discharge, while preserving local authority to regulate discharges near occupied buildings.

Bill status failed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 10, 2025 Last action May 28, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 5 edits · May 28, 2025

MODERATE

This bill expands state preemption laws to strictly prohibit local governments from enacting ordinances related to firearms and ammunition, including bans on registration, licensing, or storage records. It also clarifies rules for discharging firearms near occupied structures and adds specific definitions for archery equipment to distinguish it from firearms.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily regulating wildlife taking to include broad state preemption over local firearm regulations and clarified definitions for hunting equipment.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section (13-3108) that prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances regarding the possession, sale, transfer, or registration of firearms and ammunition.

Added a new section (13-3108) that prohibits local governments from requiring or maintaining records of individuals who leave weapons in temporary storage or who own, possess, or sell firearms.

Modified the rule for discharging firearms near occupied structures to remove the specific exception for buckshot or slug shells, applying the one-fourth mile restriction to all firearms.

DEFINITION

Revised the definition of 'shotgun' to specify it must use an explosive in a fixed shell to fire ball shot or a single projectile, and added a new definition for 'archery equipment' to include bows and crossbows.

Changed the restriction on discharging archery equipment near occupied structures from one-eighth mile to one-fourth mile to align with firearm discharge rules.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

May 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor