HB 2865, titled "Jordin's Law," clarifies Arizona's definition of a "prohibited possessor" under firearm laws by amending Section 13-3101 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. It specifies who is barred from possessing firearms, including individuals convicted of felonies (with rights not restored), undocumented immigrants (with exceptions for hunters, shooting event participants, or diplomats), people subject to certain court orders (like mental health holds or domestic violence protection orders), and those serving prison terms or probation for violent offenses. The bill also defines "prohibited weapons," such as short-barreled rifles or machine guns, but states these definitions do not override federal law compliance. This is a definitional update to existing law, not a new restriction on firearm access.
HB 2571 allows individuals previously barred from possessing firearms (due to mental health findings or federal restrictions like 18 U.S.C. §922(d)(4)) to petition Arizona courts to restore their gun rights. To qualify, petitioners must provide psychological evidence, prove they pose no danger to public safety, and demonstrate their circumstances have changed. If approved, courts update state and national databases (including the FBI’s background check system) to remove the restriction. This directly affects people classified as "prohibited possessors" under Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3101(A)(7)(a) or federal law, enabling them to legally own firearms again after a court review. The bill does not change gun ownership rules but creates a legal process for restoring rights.
HB 2131 amends Arizona's weapons misconduct law (ARS § 13-3102) to specifically criminalize trafficking weapons or explosives for financial gain to assist criminal street gangs, syndicates, or racketeering enterprises. This provision directly affects individuals who sell or transfer weapons/explosives with the intent to support such criminal organizations. The bill adds this trafficking offense as a new subsection (A.16) to the existing statute, which already covers other weapon-related misconduct like concealed carry or possession by prohibited persons. Key exemptions remain for lawful activities like museum collections, military use, or educational purposes. The law creates a distinct criminal penalty for trafficking tied to organized criminal enterprises, not general weapon possession or sales.
HB 2020 defines and penalizes interference with or disruption of public educational institutions in Arizona. It requires public schools, colleges, and universities to adopt rules for maintaining order on their property, with penalties including ejection, suspension, or expulsion for students and staff who violate these rules. The law classifies threatening harm as a class 1 misdemeanor for minors or a class 6 felony for adults (18+), while entering school property to disrupt operations is a class 1 misdemeanor. Private educational institutions are exempt from these requirements, and the bill explicitly preserves approved gun safety programs on campuses.
