We are only a few weeks into 2026, and it looks like this year might see quite a few battles between pro-firearms activists and anti-gun legislators across the U.S.; we’ve already seen several states introduce highly restrictive legislation, and there might be more to come. Below, see a list of states that are either working on significant new firearms restrictions this year, or see similar restrictions from previous years’ legislative sessions coming into effect. This list is not comprehensive; research your own state’s laws if you are concerned. But it hits the highest points.
Gun laws @ TFB:
Virginia
Since the state elections in 2025, Virginia politicians have been very busy working on firearms bans. The most prominent is the just-passed HB217 (read the full text here), which says “any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm” is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also issues similar terms for a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” (ie, a rifle magazine). While firearms made before July 1, 2026, are not affected by the bill, there is still plenty of odd wording that Virginia gun owners need to acquaint themselves with to understand the current legal climate.
But wait, there’s more! Virginia is also contemplating Senate Bill 27, which requires firearms industry players to follow standards of “responsible conduct” and allows many parties to sue the firearms industry, despite federal protections that say otherwise. Senate Bill 749 will ban a range of semi-auto rifles, pistols and shotguns and limit magazine capacity. Senate Bill 348 lays out mandatory storage requirements for homes where minors or persons prohibited from firearms usage/ownership might live. And there are other firearms restrictions under debate in Virginia as well, including a proposed $500 sales tax on suppressors and other new taxes on firearms and ammo.
To sum it up: Virginia’s firearms owners need to pay attention to what’s going on because it will directly affect them very soon.
Vermont
Vermont is looking at Bill S.167 (read the whole thing here). This potentially bans the ownership of a massive range of firearms, calling them “semiautomatic assault weapons.” Features that get a gun banned include the ability to accept a detachable magazine along with a bayonet mount, or a thumbhole/folding/telescopic stock, or a flash suppressor/muzzle brake/compensator, or a threaded barrel designed to accommodate such.
The bill also bans pistols with detachable magazines and a weight of 50 ounces or other features. Semi-auto versions of auto rifles are also banned; presumably, this rules out all AKs and a lot of other rifles as well.
New Mexico
Last week, we told you about proposed new anti-firearms laws in New Mexico. Those laws have now passed. You can read our previous write-up here, but the gist of it is this: gas-operated firearms that accept a detachable magazine or that can hold more than 10 rounds in a fixed magazine are now banned from sale after July 1, 2026.
Modern .50-caliber rifles are banned, and gun stores must now go to extra measures to “harden” themselves against theft, while also fighting against straw purchasers. The hardening measures include video cameras at doors, with footage kept on hand for two years. They also require gun store owners to keep records of sales, including customers’ names and serial numbers of the firearms they purchase.
Maine
Over the past few years, Maine has become a surprising battleground for gun rights, considering the rural nature of the state and its general widespread acceptance of firearms rights (think Texas, but cold, with trees instead of cows).
Maine’s state politicos spent lots of 2025 passing new gun restrictions. One of their most prominent bills, a so-called “red flag law,” which allows police to seize firearms from someone they say will harm someone else or themselves, will come into place on February 21. The state government is scrambling to figure out how to make this work, enabling Maine residents to fill out paperwork to report citizens whose firearms they believe ought to be seized. Stay tuned on this one in the coming weeks.
In other news, Maine has also just passed a so-called “ghost gun” law, which requires all firearms brought into the state to have serial numbers; the same goes for firearms manufactured in the state, so if you want to 3D-print a gun, there are new legal entanglements. If that sort of activity strikes your fancy, and you’re a Maine resident, best to acquaint yourself with the new law here.
Maryland
On February 11, Maryland’s House Judiciary Committee will look at HB577, which could potentially ban certain common semi-automatic pistols on the grounds that they could be converted to fully-automatic by use of illegal components. Watch out for this one; obfuscatory language might end up banning a lot of popular handguns. See the bill here.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is looking at Bill H.2672, which would allow victims of gun violence to sue firearms manufacturers, against 2005’s federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This bill was carried over from 2025’s legislative session; see the text here.
As well, Massachusetts’s new firearms registry, which covers all firearms in the state, comes into effect in 2026, along with new licensing requirements for gunsmiths, dealers and residents and non-residents—read the government’s explanation here, if you need to know more.
Illinois
As of January 1, 2026, Illinois’s SB 8 says “a firearm owner shall not store or keep any firearm in any premises where the firearm owner knows or reasonably should know a minor without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to the firearm unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, properly engaged so as to render the firearm inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user.” Translation: lock up your guns if there are kids around, or anyone who isn’t legally allowed to be in possession.
California
California’s SB-53 is in effect as of January 1, requiring gun owners to lock up firearms if they are not in direct control of them. Like several other states, California is also gearing up to do battle with so-called “ghost guns.” Stay tuned, we expect plenty more news on this front.
Colorado
Colorado’s state government is looking at banning the 3D printing of firearms or components, including magazines; see the bill here. They’re also looking at tightening up laws for firearms dealers, including a requirement to keep records of all firearms transactions (not just handguns, which is the current law) and to have video cameras at all doors—see here for more info. And don’t forget, this year we see the coming-into-effect of Colorado’s ban on semi-auto firearms purchases unless the buyer can jump through hoops (apply for a permit at a sheriff’s office, taking gun courses).
Connecticut
Connecticut’s just-introduced Governor's Bill No. 5043 is supposed to ban semi-automatic pistols that can be easily converted to full-auto. Like most examples of such legislation, the wording is concerning and open to misinterpretation. Read it here.
New York
The state of New York plans to fight 3D-printed firearms by criminalizing their manufacture as well as requiring 3D printer manufacturers to configure their machines to block production of firearms and firearm parts. The state also wants gun manufacturers to make their pistols more difficult to convert to full-auto, and requires law enforcement to report all 3D-printed pistols to the state when recovered. See the governor’s statement here.
New Jersey
Leftover legislation from 2025 was finally put through in January of 2026, putting new laws around so-called “conversion switches” that convert semi-auto firearms to full-auto, as well as laws around careless discharge of firearms, and the legal responsibilities of the firearms industry.
The Garden State is reportedly looking at new laws requiring that firearms transfers, even between family members, be put through a licensed dealer, as well as new storage requirements. These are still far away from a vote, though.
Oregon
Oregon’s Measure 114, which placed incredible restrictions on the firearms community, is still tied up in court, although it was planned to be in effect this year; lawmakers have pushed the date of its taking effect back yet again, this time, they’re suggesting pushing it until 2028.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s new bans on “military-style weapons” and magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds come into effect in 2026. Surprisingly, revolving shotguns fall under the ban! Semi-automatic shotguns with an ammo capacity of more than 6 rounds are also banned. Current owners of firearms singled out by the new laws can keep them. See more details here.
Washington
The state of Washington sees new storage laws in effect as of January 1, 2026; basically, if they’re in your home or car, you have to lock ‘em up under HB 1152. As far as new laws go, HB 1504 proposes that firearms owners be required to prove they have liability insurance of $25,000 in cash or other assets in case of a lawsuit related to their guns. You can see the text of the bill here. State legislators are also proposing a new ammunition tax, a law against “bulk firearms purchases” (you can only buy one gun a month, and limits on ammo purchases as well—see here). They are also talking about significant new regulations for dealers (look here), which certainly seems to be one of the big themes so far this year.
