In a Major Victory for Gun Safety, Arizona Legislature Adjourns Without Passing Measure Forcing Guns on College Campuses 

PHOENIX — The Arizona chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements celebrating the legislature’s adjournment without passing SB 1198, a measure that would force guns on college campuses. This session, lawmakers pushed various measures backed by the gun lobby – including HB 2843, which encourages property owners to confront and use deadly force against individuals traversing their land, no matter how expansive or whether it is marked as private property, and SB 1189, which specifically restricts the power of local governments to prohibit gun shows from occurring in their cities or counties. Both bills were vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. 

“As a young person who has grown up in America’s gun violence crisis, it’s a relief to end this session defeating a number of anti-gun safety bills,” said Avi Rubin, a volunteer leader with ASU Students Demand Action chapter. “But it’s outright shameful that Arizona lawmakers continue to push for more guns everywhere. We shouldn’t have to rely on the Governor’s veto to keep us safe. We deserve a gun-sense majority in our legislature that will pass laws proven to actually reduce gun violence, not cower to the gun lobby’s agenda.”

In 2010, Arizona kicked-off an extremist trend to repeal its concealed weapons permitting requirement – meaning that people can carry hidden, loaded guns in public without a background check or training. In recent years, state legislators have continued to introduce dangerous pieces of legislation like SB 1198. 

In an average year, 1,290 people die by guns in Arizona. With a rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 people, Arizona has the 18th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Gun violence costs Arizona $15.9 billion each year. More information about gun violence in Arizona is available here.