Arizona has traditionally been one of the most pro-gun states in the nation. However, they’ve seemingly rolled left a bit in recent years. Currently, both their senators are Democrats and the state went for Biden in 2020. Despite that, though, the legislature is still solidly Republican and they have a Republican governor.

Of course, both senators defeated Martha McSally, who is not a particularly great candidate.

So, perhaps the state isn’t really rolling all that left anyway. One way to find out is how they might shake up their gun control laws in the state.

Even as President Joe Biden has called upon lawmakers at the federal level to enact new gun control measures, at the state level legislators are pushing back. This includes Arizona, a state that actually helped put Mr. Biden in the White House. This month, the Republican lawmakers in the Grand Canyon State, advanced two measures that were seen to boost the rights of gun owners.

According to Fox10 News, both measures cleared the House Government and Elections Committee in party-line votes on Feb. 10.

HB2111 would protect gun owners’ rights, and supporters of the bill said it would stop potential overreach at the federal level. This would allow individuals with state-issued permits to carry a concealed weapon in government buildings, even if a “no guns” signed is posted. At issue has been how to actually enforce the law.

…

The second resolution, HB 2111 was introduced by Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R-Lake Havasu City) to address the threat of federal infringement on the rights of Arizona residents. While it could not preclude federal law enforcement officers from enforcing those laws, it would bar state and local officials as well as law enforcement from using their personnel or financial resources to “to enforce, administer or cooperate with any act, law, treaty, order, rule or regulation of the United States government that is inconsistent with any law of this state regarding the regulation of firearms.”

In other words, Arizona is considering becoming a sanctuary state from any gun control laws President Joe Biden may wish to pass.

As both measures have advanced to some degree, it looks like Arizona isn’t ready to relinquish its pro-gun status just yet, despite electing an anti-gun activist to the senate.

I’m sure this news will thrill Sen. Mark Kelly, to be sure.

Regardless, both of these laws are good ideas. Those with concealed carry permits have been shown time and time again to be a threat to no one except for criminals. There’s no reason to treat them as if they’re the criminals, so my sincere hope is that yes, this particular bill passes.

As for the sanctuary bill, such that it is, it’s about the best you can reasonably hope for. Sure, you can pass a law that says no federal gun control laws apply in a state, but it’s unlikely the federal courts will agree with that. By simply making it a pain for the feds to do anything in the state, you’re probably going to accomplish just as much without setting your residents up for a long prison sentence.

Here’s hoping it gets passed too.