Weekly Spotlight 4/26/25 – 5/2/25
Firearms Training Gaining Momentum in State Capitols Across the Country
In several states across the U.S., local lawmakers with valid concealed carry permits are permitted to carry a firearm into their state legislative buildings, including the state capitol.
There are often specific restrictions on where members can and cannot carry, which varies by state. New Hampshire, for example, stands out as one of the few states that allow open carry both on capitol grounds and inside the statehouse itself. This provides a unique opportunity to emphasize the critical importance of proper training in environments where firearms are visible and where elected officials conduct the people’s business.
New Hampshire takes great pride in its open carry laws, which affirm the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry firearms in public. Yet with this freedom comes a serious responsibility: to carry with care, skill, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Owning and carrying a firearm is not simply about exercising a right; it’s about being prepared to act responsibly and effectively if circumstances demand it — and that preparation begins with training and education.
Next week, the USCCA will partner with the New Hampshire state legislature and Speaker Packard to hold an in-person training event for all members of the legislature. Helmed by Rob Chadwick, the Director of Education and Training for the USCCA and Delta Defense, the discussion will be centered on the importance of a free state house, situational awareness, conflict avoidance, the use of force continuum, and responsible firearm ownership.
At the heart of the Second Amendment is the belief that the right to bear arms must go hand-in-hand with responsible and educated gun ownership. The USCCA is proud to stand with gun owners across the country who are committed to protecting their loved ones and communities through life-saving education and industry-leading training.
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OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Stateline: States Move To Outlaw Popular ‘Glock Switches’ That Make Some Guns Fully Automatic
More states are enacting bans on “Glock switches,” small devices about the size of a U.S. quarter that can turn semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute. Gun conversion devices have become a rare point of bipartisan agreement on gun policy. Although firearm regulations often face pushback in Republican-led states, growing support from local law enforcement officials has helped these bans gain traction. Last month, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed into law a bill that made Alabama the 26th state to outlaw gun conversion devices, also known as auto sears. A sear is the part of the gun that holds the hammer or firing pin back until the trigger is pulled.
Complete Colorado (Colorado): Gov. Polis Signs New Restrictions On Gun Shows, Ammunition Sales Into Law
Gov. Jared Polis signed a pair of bills heavily regulating both ammunition sales and gun shows into law on Friday, further making Colorado one of the most gun-rights restricting states in the country. Polis gave his pen to House Bill 25-1133, Requirements for Sales of Firearms Ammunition, and House Bill 25-1238, Gun Show Requirements. Polis previously signed Senate Bill 25-003, creating a lengthy and expensive licensing system in order to purchase a wide-range of semi-automatic weapons.
Washington Examiner: Supreme Court Rejects Minnesota Appeal To Revive Young Adult Gun Ban
The Supreme Court rejected a Minnesota appeal regarding the state’s attempt to prevent young adults from obtaining permits to carry firearms in public. Minnesota appealed a ruling that said a law banning 18 to 20-year-olds from applying for such permits violated the Second Amendment, which gives citizens the right to bear arms. The court’s decision to decline Minnesota’s opportunity to give further arguments on the law before the high court signals its continued support of the Second Amendment and gun rights in the country. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority could target similar laws in the future.
Buckeye Firearms Association: Declassified Doc: Biden-Harris Targeted Gun Owners, 2A Under ‘Domestic Terrorism’ Pretext
On April 16, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made good on a promise to expose the ways in which the Biden administration had weaponized the federal government against its political adversaries by releasing the Biden-era “Strategic Implementation Plan for Countering Domestic Terrorism” (SIP). The document offers a chilling look at how the federal government sought to curtail Americans’ Second Amendment rights under the dubious guise of combatting “domestic terrorism.”
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