If enacted, HB7935 would significantly affect state laws concerning firearm regulations and gun free zones. States would be required to conform their laws to allow for such civil actions to remain eligible for federal crime control funding. The bill stipulates that a failure to comply could lead to substantial funding reductions (up to 99%) for relevant state law enforcement programs, impacting the resources available for local safety and crime prevention initiatives.
Summary
House Bill 7935, known as the Shall Not Be Infringed Act of 2026, proposes to enable individuals harmed in gun free zones to seek civil damages from state or local governments. The bill asserts that if an individual who is authorized to carry a firearm in their state of residence suffers harm in a gun free zone, they may recover compensatory damages and damages for pain and suffering. This aims to shift the responsibility onto local and state jurisdictions that impose such gun free zone policies, providing a legal recourse for affected individuals.
Contention
The proposed legislation has sparked debates among lawmakers, with proponents arguing it enhances Second Amendment rights by holding governments accountable for restricting firearm carry options. Critics, however, fear it may undermine the intent of gun free zones, designed to ensure safety in sensitive areas like schools and public spaces. There are concerns that the risk of civil lawsuits could deter local governments from establishing or maintaining these regulations, ultimately affecting community safety and policy enforcement.
Supporting the Second Amendment's guarantee that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, and commending President Trump and his administration as they work to protect Second Amendment freedoms by reviewing and eliminating any of the Biden administration's infringements on American's constitutional freedoms.
Reaffirming the right for persons of all persuasions to keep and bear arms, and urging Congress and the President to cease infringement upon Second Amendment rights and to restore them where infringed.