Arizona Lawmakers Want to Stop Protecting Communities from Machineguns, Here’s What to Know About HCR 2037

PHOENIX — Today, lawmakers in the Senate Judiciary Committee are hearing a ballot measure resolution that seeks to repeal Arizona’s prohibitions on dangerous weapons. HC 2037 proposes a ballot measure that would ask voters to repeal key state laws in Arizona regulating the possession of machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, and silencers. While these weapons remain heavily regulated under federal law, the repeal of Arizona’s state-level restrictions could result in a substantial reduction in the enforcement of these critical safeguards designed to protect public safety.

“It’s hard to think of a more reckless and waste of time effort than this resolution from Republican lawmakers,” said RJ Shannon, a volunteer with the Arizona chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Repealing laws covering machine guns and silencers is nothing short of a deliberate effort to make gun violence more prevalent and common in Arizona. It’s clear lawmakers remain focused on carrying out the gun lobby’s wishes and pushing forward their ‘guns everywhere’ agenda. We strongly urge Senators to reject this dangerous and absurd proposal.” 

“Gun violence is already the number one killer of my generation and this resolution will only put us in more danger,” said Eman Massoud, a volunteer leader with Arizona State University Students Demand Action chapter. “Instead of playing politics with public safety, lawmakers should be focused on making sure my classmates and I survive to see graduation day.” 

Here’s What to Know About HCR 2037: 

• Stops state law enforcement from getting machine guns out of Arizona communities. This resolution aims to remove state law restrictions on machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, and silencers. 

• If approved by voters – it would remove state law restrictions on silencers. These devices make shootings more dangerous. Being able to hear and identify gunshots can be the difference between life and death.

• It’s straight out of Representative Lauren Boebert’s extremist playbook. The resolution uses the same title as Rep. Lauren Boebert’s federal bill (HR 3212 from 2023). Naming the resolution the “Shall Not Be Infringed Act” is an effort to confuse voters into thinking this measure protects the second amendment when its real impact is stopping state and local law enforcement from keeping machine guns and sawed-off shotguns out of  Arizona communities. 

• Will make it harder for law enforcement. Though these devices would still be heavily regulated under federal law, repealing the state law would require Arizonans to rely on federal law enforcement to keep their local communities safe. State and local law enforcement and prosecutors would be limited in their ability to respond to these dangerous weapons in Arizona. 

This session, lawmakers have introduced measures that would force Arizona universities, colleges and community colleges to let anyone with a concealed carry permit carry a gun on campus (SB 1020), incentivize schools to authorize employees to carry guns on school grounds (HB 2022), and roll back regulations on silencers (SB 1014). 

Everytown’s analysis found that Arizona’s gun laws are the 8th weakest in the country. In an average year, 1,344 people die and 2,125 are wounded by guns in Arizona. Gun violence costs Arizona $15.9 billion each year, of which $253.2 million is paid by taxpayers. 

If Arizona had the gun death rate of our National Leaders—the nine states with the strongest gun safety laws—we could save 11,085 lives in the next decade. More information about gun violence in Arizona is available here.