Bill
SB 607
The bill allows concealed carry without a state license in most cases, trims background checks and location bans, and standardizes penalties for remaining prohibitions.
Status snapshot
- Bill number: SB 607
- Short title: Relating to right to carry a weapon in this state, licenses to carry a concealed weapon, and providing a penalty.
- Introduced: Feb 20, 2025 (per materials provided)
- Recent procedural note: Representative Ortiz‑Velez added as a cosponsor (12/01/2025). The bill has been amended in committee and on the floor multiple times per the record.
Purpose / intent
SB 607 substantially revises state law governing concealed firearms. Its primary purpose is to remove the statutory prohibition on carrying a concealed weapon without a state license, while preserving the option to obtain a license for reciprocity and certain federal exemptions. The bill also narrows state background‑check requirements for license issuance, revises where firearms remain prohibited, standardizes penalties, and makes several related technical changes.
Key provisions and changes
- Eliminates the general state prohibition on carrying a concealed weapon (i.e., individuals may carry concealed firearms without holding a state concealed‑carry license).
- Maintains voluntary licensing: the bill preserves the state license to carry a concealed weapon (and law‑enforcement ID cards) so licensees can rely on reciprocity with other states and qualify for the federal school‑zone exemption that depends on a state license established after a background check.
- Changes background‑check standard for issuing a state license: the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be required to perform a background check to confirm the applicant is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law, but (per the bill text) would no longer be required to check for all state‑law prohibitions in the same manner.
- Prohibited locations: removes many broad prohibitions but retains specific location bans — e.g., police stations, houses of correction, secure mental health facilities. Adds “places declared a nuisance” and any locations prohibited by federal law to the list of prohibited places.
- Penalties: removes the differential penalty scheme based on licensure; violation of remaining location prohibitions is a Class A misdemeanor (penalties under state law for that class). The bill eliminates the distinction between licensed and unlicensed persons for penalty severity.
- Other changes:
- Eliminates the statutory prohibition on loading a firearm in a vehicle (previously there was a prohibition except for certain handguns).
- Reduces the mandatory distance for hunting near hospitals/schools from 1,700 feet to 1,200 feet.
Who is affected
- Individuals who carry firearms in public (residents and visitors): the bill would allow concealed carry without a state license in most circumstances.
- DOJ and licensing authorities: altered background‑check responsibilities and continued administration of optional licenses.
- Law enforcement and public institutions (schools, hospitals, correctional facilities): enforcement of retained prohibitions and adjustments to policies to reflect new statutory boundaries.
- Hunters: distance restriction near hospitals/schools is reduced.
Enforcement, fiscal, and legal notes
- The bill equalizes criminal penalties and creates/changes certain misdemeanors; the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be asked to report because penalties are revised.
- The legislative text indicates potential interactions with federal law (notably the federal gun‑free school zone statute and 18 U.S.C. 926B/926C reciprocity for qualified officers).
- The record shows multiple committee amendments and floor amendments; refer to the official legislative history for final status and exact statutory text if enacted.
For further reading
- Consult the bill text (for precise statutory edits and cross‑referenced code sections) and the most current legislative status page to confirm whether the bill has passed, been amended further, or been enacted.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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