Gun laws in the United States are experiencing a series of changes in 2025. Some states are taking steps to enhance gun safety laws, while others are expanding the rights of firearm owners. This reflects the ongoing polarization surrounding the contentious issue of gun control in the country.
As of Wednesday, new laws have come into effect in several states, including California, Colorado, New York, Delaware, and Minnesota. These states have implemented measures aimed at tightening gun control regulations. However, in contrast, New Hampshire and Kentucky have passed legislation that bolsters the rights of individuals to own and utilize firearms. Additionally, South Carolina and Louisiana have recently legalized open carry without the need for a permit, showcasing the dichotomy in the country’s approach to gun policies.
Several laws are coming into effect in California, including AB1483, AB1598, and AB2917. These new regulations aim to strengthen restrictions on the purchase of handguns, with a particular focus on consumer safety. As part of these measures, there will be mandatory consumer warnings for firearm sales. Additionally, the state is establishing guidelines for courts to follow when handling restraining orders related to gun violence. It’s worth noting that New York has also implemented a similar law, which mandates consumer warnings for firearm purchases.
Colorado has implemented a new law that mandates gun owners to securely store their firearms in a locked, out-of-sight, hard-sided container if they leave them in an unoccupied vehicle. Additionally, the state has raised the training standards for concealed carry permits and has prohibited certain individuals convicted of misdemeanors from obtaining these permits. These changes to the concealed carry laws will come into effect in July later this year.
New Hampshire has introduced new gun laws for 2025 that aim to protect the rights of gun owners. Under these laws, employers are now prohibited from stopping employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles, providing increased privacy for gun owners. In a similar vein, Kentucky has also implemented a law that enhances privacy protections for gun owners by disallowing the use of merchant category codes for firearms dealers. These codes are typically utilized by financial institutions to monitor the location of a purchase, but they do not necessarily disclose the specific item being bought.
In 2022, President Joe Biden took a significant step towards addressing gun reform by signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This landmark legislation marks the first comprehensive gun reform bill undertaken by Congress in three decades. The act aimed to enhance background checks and impose stricter restrictions on gun ownership, although it fell short of the ambitions set by progressive lawmakers. Additionally, the administration’s commitment to reducing gun violence was further reinforced through an executive order issued last year. Furthermore, in July, the Department of Justice expanded the requirements for firearms background checks, emphasizing the importance of thorough screening for gun dealers.
The treatment of gun violence and safety issues in the United States could undergo a significant change due to the pro-gun Trump administration, Republican majority Congress, and a gun rights friendly US Supreme Court. This widening gap in the approach to addressing gun violence and ensuring safety raises concerns for the nation.
