House Bill 2524 and Senate Bill 1266 Await Veto; Legislature Willfully Handing Over Responsibly to Protect Arizonans to Outsiders, Stripping Local Control of Public Safety
PHOENIX – Today the Arizona chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and members of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, began a week-long effort to urge Governor Ducey to veto two dangerous pieces of gun legislation sitting on his desk: House Bill 2524 and Senate Bill 1266.
House Bill 2524 would hand over Arizona’s state sovereignty to other states by creating an interstate compact that would block all states that sign on from passing any laws related to the sale or transfer of firearms beyond existing federal law. Senate Bill 1266 would allow the National Rifle Association and out-of-state special interest groups to sue local officials who attempt to enforce local gun laws.
STATEMENT FROM GENEVA HABER, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE ARIZONA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Our elected leaders in the legislature have passed two dangerous pieces of gun legislation. House Bill 2524 and Senate Bill 1266 would directly impact the very work we elected our leaders to do: protect communities from gun violence and put public safety first. They took direction from the extremist gun lobby instead of standing up for the safety of their constituents. Now it’s up to Governor Ducey to decide one simple thing: will you stand with the gun lobby or will you work to help save lives by vetoing both pieces of legislation?”
STATEMENT FROM PAM SIMON, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK WHO SURVIVED THE 2011 ‘CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER’ MASS SHOOTING:
“Arizonans have seen our fair share of tragedy and we need to work together to make a safer Arizona. Instead of passing common-sense gun laws that will help save lives, our legislature took the exact opposite approach and passed legislation that would put the safety of Arizonans at risk. As survivors of gun violence, as neighbors and as constituents – we deserve better. We urge Governor Ducey to stand up for public safety and veto both HB 2524 and SB 1266. Lives are on the line and it is time we prioritize keeping our communities safe.”
MORE INFORMATION ON HOUSE BILL 2524 AND SENATE BILL 1266
- House Bill 2524 would hand over Arizona’s state sovereignty to other states. HB 2524 would create an interstate compact that would block all states that sign on from passing any laws related to the sale or transfer of firearms beyond existing federal law. The bill would abdicate the state’s right to set its own law and govern itself: Arizona’s elected officials would be unable to write public safety laws without the consent of other states – and would not be able to leave the compact without out-of-state permission or calling a special session of the legislature.
- Senate Bill 1266 would allow the NRA and out-of-state special interest groups to sue local officials who attempt to enforce local gun laws. The bill provides for a penalty of up to $50,000 to be levied against a locality that tries to enact or enforce public safety laws tailored to local conditions; allows for successful lawsuits to net special interest groups another $100,000 in damages, plus the cost of lawyers for the gun lobby; would force taxpayers to foot the entire bill and allows for a local official to be fired from his or her job for taking steps to protect public safety.