Firearms policy ballot measures

Voters have decided on firearms policy ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, firearms policy includes measures that regulate firearms, expanding or restricting access. It also includes measures that establish or amend state constitutional rights related to firearms. The topic is grouped within the social issue policy area.

This page provides information on:

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Upcoming ballot measures

See also: 2026 ballot measures and 2027 ballot measures

The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:

2026

1. Arkansas Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
2. Massachusetts Firearm Regulations Referendum (2026) - On the ballot
3. Missouri Prohibit Minors from Possessing Firearms Amendment (2026) - Potential

List of state ballot measures

Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.

Years

States

2026

1. Arkansas Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
2. Massachusetts Firearm Regulations Referendum (2026) - On the ballot
3. Missouri Prohibit Minors from Possessing Firearms Amendment (2026) - Potential

2025

1. Maine Question 2, Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and Weapons Access Initiative (2025)

2024

1. Colorado Proposition KK, Excise Tax on Firearms Dealers, Manufacturers, and Ammunition Vendors Measure (2024)

2022

1. Iowa Amendment 1, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (2022)
2. Oregon Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative (2022)

2020

1. Alabama Amendment 5, "Stand Your Ground" Rights in Franklin County Churches Measure (2020)
2. Alabama Amendment 6, "Stand Your Ground" Rights in Lauderdale County Churches Measure (2020)
3. Montana LR-130, Limit Local Government Authority to Regulate Firearms Measure (2020)

2018

1. Washington Initiative 1639, Changes to Gun Ownership and Purchase Requirements Measure (2018)

2016

1. California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban (2016)#Path to the ballot
2. Maine Background Checks for Gun Sales, Question 3 (2016)
3. Nevada Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Question 1 (2016)
4. Washington Individual Gun Access Prevention by Court Order, Initiative 1491 (2016)

2014

1. Alabama Right to Bear Arms, Amendment 3 (2014)
2. Missouri Amendment 5, Right to Bear Arms Strict Scrutiny and Unalienable Right Measure (August 2014)
3. Washington Gun Rights Measure, Initiative 591 (2014)
4. Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

2012

1. Louisiana Right to Bear Arms, Amendment 2 (2012)

2010

1. Kansas Right to Bear Arms Question, Constitutional Amendment Question 1 (2010)

2000

1. Colorado Amendment 22, Background Checks for Gun Sales Initiative (2000)
2. Oregon Measure 5, Background Checks for Firearm Transfers Initiative (2000)

1999

1. Missouri Proposition B, Concealed Firearms Permit Measure (April 1999)

1998

1. Florida Amendment 12, Sales of Firearms Amendment (1998)
2. Wisconsin Question 2, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (1998)

1997

1. Washington Initiative 676, Handgun Trigger-Locks and Safety Licenses Measure (1997)

1994

1. Alaska Measure 1, Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1994)

1990

1. Florida Amendment 2, Three Day Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases Amendment (1990)

1988

1. Maryland Question 3, Prohibit Handguns Not on State Roster Referendum (1988)
2. Nebraska Initiative Measure 403, Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1988)

1987

1. Maine Question 12, Alter the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Measure (1987)

1986

1. New Mexico Ballot Proposal: Right to Keep and Bear Arms (1986)
2. West Virginia Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment, Amendment 1 (1986)

1984

1. North Dakota Right to Bear Arms Initiative, Measure 3 (1984)
2. Utah Proposition 5, Permit the Legislature to Define the Lawful Use of Firearms Amendment (1984)

1982

1. California Proposition 15, Handgun Ownership and Registration Initiative (1982)
2. Nevada Question 2, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (1982)
3. New Hampshire Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1982)

1978

1. Idaho Reinforce Right to Bear Arms, SJR 116 (1978)
2. New Hampshire Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1978)

1976

1. Massachusetts Question 5, Handguns Ban Initiative (1976)

1948

1. South Dakota Amendment D, Tax on Public Shooting Areas Measure (1948)

Alabama

1. Alabama Amendment 5, "Stand Your Ground" Rights in Franklin County Churches Measure (2020)
2. Alabama Amendment 6, "Stand Your Ground" Rights in Lauderdale County Churches Measure (2020)
3. Alabama Right to Bear Arms, Amendment 3 (2014)

Alaska

1. Alaska Measure 1, Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1994)

Arkansas

1. Arkansas Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

California

1. California Proposition 15, Handgun Ownership and Registration Initiative (1982)
2. California Proposition 63, Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban (2016)#Path to the ballot

Colorado

1. Colorado Amendment 22, Background Checks for Gun Sales Initiative (2000)
2. Colorado Proposition KK, Excise Tax on Firearms Dealers, Manufacturers, and Ammunition Vendors Measure (2024)

Florida

1. Florida Amendment 12, Sales of Firearms Amendment (1998)
2. Florida Amendment 2, Three Day Waiting Period for Handgun Purchases Amendment (1990)

Idaho

1. Idaho Reinforce Right to Bear Arms, SJR 116 (1978)

Iowa

1. Iowa Amendment 1, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (2022)

Kansas

1. Kansas Right to Bear Arms Question, Constitutional Amendment Question 1 (2010)

Louisiana

1. Louisiana Right to Bear Arms, Amendment 2 (2012)

Maine

1. Maine Background Checks for Gun Sales, Question 3 (2016)
2. Maine Question 12, Alter the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Measure (1987)
3. Maine Question 2, Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and Weapons Access Initiative (2025)

Maryland

1. Maryland Question 3, Prohibit Handguns Not on State Roster Referendum (1988)

Massachusetts

1. Massachusetts Firearm Regulations Referendum (2026) - On the ballot
2. Massachusetts Question 5, Handguns Ban Initiative (1976)

Missouri

1. Missouri Amendment 5, Right to Bear Arms Strict Scrutiny and Unalienable Right Measure (August 2014)
2. Missouri Prohibit Minors from Possessing Firearms Amendment (2026) - Potential
3. Missouri Proposition B, Concealed Firearms Permit Measure (April 1999)

Montana

1. Montana LR-130, Limit Local Government Authority to Regulate Firearms Measure (2020)

Nebraska

1. Nebraska Initiative Measure 403, Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1988)

Nevada

1. Nevada Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Question 1 (2016)
2. Nevada Question 2, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (1982)

New Hampshire

1. New Hampshire Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1978)
2. New Hampshire Right to Bear Arms Amendment (1982)

New Mexico

1. New Mexico Ballot Proposal: Right to Keep and Bear Arms (1986)

North Dakota

1. North Dakota Right to Bear Arms Initiative, Measure 3 (1984)

Oregon

1. Oregon Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative (2022)
2. Oregon Measure 5, Background Checks for Firearm Transfers Initiative (2000)

South Dakota

1. South Dakota Amendment D, Tax on Public Shooting Areas Measure (1948)

Utah

1. Utah Proposition 5, Permit the Legislature to Define the Lawful Use of Firearms Amendment (1984)

Washington

1. Washington Gun Rights Measure, Initiative 591 (2014)
2. Washington Individual Gun Access Prevention by Court Order, Initiative 1491 (2016)
3. Washington Initiative 1639, Changes to Gun Ownership and Purchase Requirements Measure (2018)
4. Washington Initiative 676, Handgun Trigger-Locks and Safety Licenses Measure (1997)
5. Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

West Virginia

1. West Virginia Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment, Amendment 1 (1986)

Wisconsin

1. Wisconsin Question 2, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment (1998)

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