Just a couple of weeks ago, the State passed a bill that will nullify all future federal gun laws.  This week, upon a third reading, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to approved a bill that establishes an interstate compact which would keep state governments who are a part of the agreement from imposing firearms transfer regulations that are more restrictive than federal law, which is, in itself, unconstitutional.

HB 2524, the Uniform Firearms Transfer Compact, passed by a vote of 35-24 on Monday.  The bill was sponsored by Representative Bob Thorpe.

According to Guns.com, Thorpe had presented the bill in response to Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to “’try to reduce the rights we have here’ and in other states through his organizations’ ballot initiatives and lobbying.”

According to a legislative fact sheet, the bill prohibits member states from creating, imposing or enforcing the following:

• Any tax, fee, penalty, mandate or regulation in addition to federal law that burdens the transfer of firearms to any person; or
• Any civil or criminal liability that is not imposed under federal law in connection with the transfer of firearms by any person.

State may sign on voluntarily to the compact and may withdraw or propose amendments to the Compact on the following occasions:

• Every 10^thyear after the enacting legislation;
• When a special session is called specifically to amend or withdraw from the Compact.  Written notice of the special session must be given to each member state at least 30 days before the session convenes;
• On written, unanimous consent of all member states.

The compact also repeals all “conflicting laws, regulations or policies that exist” on the date it goes into effect.

A similar bill was passed in the Arizona House last year.  However, Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety came in and hired lobbying group Dorn Policy Group to stall the legislation until the end of session.  Of course, not only was Everytown a part of the defeat of the previous bill, but now Bloomberg’s lying Moms Demand Action is also opposing HB 2524.

However, according to Arizona Citizens Defense League, “HB 2524 provides our best opportunity to derail the coming Bloomberg financed ballot measure to establish gun owner registration in Arizona before it happens.”

“The passage of HB 2524 would establish an interstate compact that restricts member states from enacting firearms transfer requirements greater than existing federal law,” says AZ-CDL.  “In essence, this would create a ceiling that state law could not exceed.  Current federal law has few limitations on intrastate private party firearm transfers between non-prohibited possessors.”

“The passage of HB 2524 is critical,” AS-CDL adds.  “Under Arizona’s Constitution, as long as the petition signature gathering process is successful, a measure will appear on the ballot.  The Legislature cannot prevent it.  Once passed, a ballot measure is essentially permanent.  The Legislature cannot override it.”

In order for the compact to be established, just two or more states must pass the necessary legislation to enter into the compact.

Nevada is also considering a similar measure during this session.  It appears this is a great way in which states can band together against overreaching gun control measures, including going after guns through taxation.