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Committee advances HB 609 after amendment extends state preemption to stun guns and similar devices
Summary
The Judiciary committee voted to adopt amendment 1730s to HB 609, adding stun guns, tasers, pepper spray devices and knives to the list of items governed exclusively by state law and removing local ordinance authority; the amendment passed 3–2 and the bill was moved 'ought to pass as amended.'
The Judiciary committee voted to adopt amendment 1730s to House Bill 609, expanding the state’s exclusive authority over firearms to include stun guns, tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self‑defense tools.
The amendment’s sponsor, recorded in the transcript as Senator (Speaker 3), told the committee: "What it does, it gives the the state the exclusive, authority and jurisdiction, or the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matters, pertaining to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearm supplies ... but it adds stun guns, tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self defense tools in the state." That language was described as being added on two separate line ranges in the bill text by the sponsor.
Senator (Speaker 2) objected, saying the amendment "takes away local control because no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matters," and pointed out that the new items are undefined. "Without amending out exceptions for local control ... I unfortunately cannot support this," the senator said.
The committee approved amendment 1730s by voice vote with a recorded margin of "3 to 2." After adopting the amendment the sponsor moved that HB 609 "ought to pass as amended," the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The committee did not record a roll‑call tally for the final bill motion in the transcript; the meeting minutes show the amendment passed by a 3–2 margin and the bill was taken up as amended. The committee chair indicated the items will be presented on the chamber floor later in the week.
The action transfers regulatory authority for a set of weapons and self‑defense items from municipalities to the state; proponents said it clarifies statewide rules, while opponents warned it removes local discretion to address community‑specific public‑safety concerns. The transcript does not include additional detail about statutory language beyond the sponsor’s explanation, and it does not specify implementation steps or effective dates.
