Arizona Governor Vetoes 4 Pro-Gun Bills — Are You Okay With That?

Arizona has long been considered one of the more firearm-friendly states in the country—but recent actions by Governor Katie Hobbs have cast a shadow over that reputation. In the past month, she has vetoed not one, not two, but four separate pro-Second Amendment bills passed by the state legislature.

Each of these bills was designed to strengthen the rights of law-abiding gun owners and reinforce privacy protections. But Hobbs said no. Here’s a breakdown of each bill and why her veto matters.

SB 1014 – Suppressor Legalization

What it would have done:
SB 1014 would have removed suppressors (also known as silencers) from Arizona’s list of prohibited weapons under state law, aligning it with federal law for those who own suppressors legally through the NFA process.

Why it matters:
Suppressors are hearing protection devices. They reduce noise, protect shooters’ ears, and make ranges safer—especially for younger or newer shooters. There’s no evidence that suppressors fuel crime.

What Hobbs said:
She vetoed the bill, citing public safety concerns and the “potential for misuse.”

SB 1020 – Concealed Carry on Campus

What it would have done:
This bill would have prevented public universities and colleges in Arizona from banning lawful concealed carry on campus. If you had a valid CCW, you could carry, just like you can nearly everywhere else in the state.

Why it matters:
College students are adults. Many are veterans. Others are women who are statistically more vulnerable to assault. These are precisely the people who deserve the ability to defend themselves, especially in environments where campus security is slow to respond.

What Hobbs said:
She claimed allowing firearms on campus would threaten public safety and disrupt learning environments.

SB 1143 – Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act

What it would have done:
SB 1143 would have banned government use of firearm-specific merchant category codes (MCCs) to surveil gun buyers and track lawful purchases.

Why it matters:
This is about privacy. Gun owners shouldn’t be placed on a watchlist just because they bought a holster or some ammo. Merchant codes are being pushed by anti-gun lobbyists as a backdoor gun registry.

Want more background on the battle over merchant category codes? Read our full analysis here.

What Hobbs said:
She defended the use of MCCs as a tool for investigating gun trafficking and “mass casualty threats.” Translation: You’re a suspect until proven innocent.

SB 1705 – Enforcing Statewide Gun Law Preemption

What it would have done:
This bill would have put real teeth into Arizona’s preemption law by allowing civil penalties—up to $5,000—against local officials who knowingly pass firearm restrictions in violation of state law.

Why it matters:
Without strong preemption enforcement, Arizona risks turning into a patchwork of conflicting local ordinances, making it impossible for gun owners to stay legal while traveling across city lines.

What Hobbs said:
She claimed the bill was unnecessary and would “undermine local control.”

So Where Do You Stand?

Arizona residents: Are you okay with this? Are you comfortable with your governor denying your right to protect yourself on campus… to own hearing-safe gear… to keep your purchases private… or to live under consistent, state-wide gun laws?

Because that’s what these vetoes just did.

This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about principle—and your right to keep and bear arms without government overreach.

Let your legislators—and your governor—know where you stand.