2021 House Bill 5187

Prohibit bans on gun sales during state of emergency

Introduced in the House

July 1, 2021

Introduced by Rep. Andrew Fink (R-58)

To amend the 1976 law that authorizes a governor to assume extraordinary powers during an emergency, including the statewide “lockdowns” ordered under the 2020 coronavirus epidemic (but only with legislative consent, which was not forthcoming after the initial lockdown period). The bill would prohibit a governor from using this law to ban the sale or purchase of lawfully possessed firearms, ammunition, or other weapons during a declared emergency or disaster; and also ban imposing additional gun and ammunition-related registration mandates, gun seizures, and more.

Referred to the Committee on Oversight

Nov. 4, 2021

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 8, 2022

Amendment offered by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-55)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bills 5066 to 5069, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. Those bills from are a Democratic legislative package authorizing more rules and restrictions on firearms owners.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-95)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bills 5371 and 5372, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. Those bills from are a Democratic legislative package authorizing firearm ownership restrictions on individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes.

The amendment failed by voice vote

March 10, 2022

Passed in the House 61 to 40 (details)

Received in the Senate

March 15, 2022

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations