A new bill authored by State Rep. Gutierrez in the Arizona House seeks to prevent minors from accessing unsecured firearms to reduce accidental injuries and misuse, according to the Arizona State House.
The bill, introduced as HB2214 on Jan. 15, during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature, was formally listed with the short title: ‘failure to secure weapon; minor’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends Arizona’s statutes on weapons misconduct by adding a provision that makes it unlawful to fail to secure a firearm from a minor by not taking reasonable measures to prevent the minor from accessing it. If a minor accesses the unsecured firearm, the offense is classified as a class 6 felony, escalating to a class 4 felony if the minor discharges the firearm and causes death or serious injury. Several exceptions are specified, including lawful possession by a minor under certain conditions and exemptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and specific educational and museum contexts. The legislation aims to prevent minors from accessing firearms, thereby reducing accidental injuries or misuse by underage individuals. The measure is part of broader amendments to existing weapon misconduct laws, setting various felony and misdemeanor classifications for other violations.
The bill was co-sponsored by Anna Abeytia (Democrat-24th District), Cesar Aguilar (Democrat-26th District), and Lorena Austin (Democrat-9th District), along with 10 other sponsors.
Since the beginning of the session, Gutierrez has proposed another three bills, with none of them being adopted.
Gutierrez graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1994 with a BS.
Nancy Gutierrez is currently serving in the Arizona State House, representing the state’s 18th House District. She replaced previous state representative Jennifer Jermaine in 2023.
In Arizona, the legislative process begins when a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for discussion and possible amendment. If approved by committee, the bill proceeds to floor debate and voting in both chambers. If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The Arizona Legislature convenes annually in regular session starting the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each session, though only a portion make it into law. You can learn more about the legislative process on the Arizona State Legislature website.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB2214 | 01/15/2025 | This bill amends Arizona’s statutes on weapons misconduct by adding a provision that makes it unlawful to fail to secure a firearm from a minor by not taking reasonable measures to prevent the minor from accessing it. If a minor accesses the unsecured firearm, the offense is classified as a class 6 felony, escalating to a class 4 felony if the minor discharges the firearm and causes death or serious injury. Several exceptions are specified, including lawful possession by a minor under certain conditions and exemptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and specific educational and museum contexts. The legislation aims to prevent minors from accessing firearms, thereby reducing accidental injuries or misuse by underage individuals. The measure is part of broader amendments to existing weapon misconduct laws, setting various felony and misdemeanor classifications for other violations. |
| HB2213 | 01/15/2025 | This bill appropriates $3.8 million from Arizona’s state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Education to provide free school lunches for children who qualify under the income eligibility requirements of the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts. The appropriation is intended to be ongoing, continuing in subsequent years to ensure continuous support for eligible students. |
| HB2212 | 01/15/2025 | This bill establishes regulations for employment contracts involving unemancipated minors performing artistic or creative services in Arizona, effective Jan. 1, 2026. It mandates court approval for such contracts, ensuring that they cannot be disaffirmed due to the minor’s age. The bill requires that 15% of a minor’s gross earnings from artistic services be placed in a trust account for their benefit. A parent or guardian typically serves as the trustee, though the court may appoint another trustee in the child’s best interest. Details for setting up and managing this trust are outlined, including stipulations for withdrawals, which are prohibited until the minor turns 18, becomes emancipated, or by court order. The bill also specifies the fiduciary responsibilities of parents or guardians related to managing the minor’s earnings. This legislative change applies to contracts entered into from the stated effective date onward. |
| HB2211 | 01/15/2025 | This bill proposes the establishment of a legal framework for severe threat orders of protection in Arizona, designed to restrict firearm possession for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. It allows a petitioner— a family or household member, significant other, probation officer, behavioral health professional, or peace officer— to request either an ex parte temporary or a full severe threat order of protection through the courts. Upon issuance, these orders mandate the surrender of firearms to law enforcement and registration in national crime databases. Respondents can challenge the order via a court hearing; if unsuccessful, the order remains effective for one year. Violation of these orders is classified as a class 4 felony. If the respondent is a minor, proceedings are transferred to juvenile court, and parents must secure firearms at home. Additionally, false swearing to obtain these orders is penalized as a felony. The bill emphasizes both the procedural and punitive measures to ensure compliance and public safety. |
