HB 2131 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

trafficking weapons or explosives

HB 2131 amends Arizona's weapons misconduct law (ARS § 13-3102) to specifically criminalize trafficking weapons or explosives for financial gain to assist criminal street gangs, syndicates, or racketeering enterprises. This provision directly affects individuals who sell or transfer weapons/explosives with the intent to support such criminal organizations. The bill adds this trafficking offense as a new subsection (A.16) to the existing statute, which already covers other weapon-related misconduct like concealed carry or possession by prohibited persons. Key exemptions remain for lawful activities like museum collections, military use, or educational purposes. The law creates a distinct criminal penalty for trafficking tied to organized criminal enterprises, not general weapon possession or sales.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Signed Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version (02/10/2026) → Chaptered Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was finalized and signed into law, converting the draft text into an official statute. The core legal provisions regarding weapons misconduct in Arizona remained substantively unchanged from the House version, but the final text added specific exemptions for judicial officers, museums, and commercial nuclear security guards, and clarified the classification of crimes and sentencing restrictions.

Scope change

The scope of exemptions was expanded to include specific groups such as judicial officers, museum employees, and commercial nuclear security guards, while the definition of 'public establishment' was narrowed to state-owned or leased properties.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption allowing elected or appointed judicial officers to carry firearms in court facilities if they have demonstrated competence, provided they follow the presiding judge's rules.

Added exemptions for museums and educational institutions regarding the possession and transport of weapons for collection or educational purposes.

Added an exemption for commercial nuclear generating station armed security guards during official duties or security training.

DEFINITION

Narrowed the definition of 'public establishment' to specifically mean structures or vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the state or a political subdivision, rather than any public place.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision allowing law enforcement officers to take temporary custody of a firearm if they contact a person in possession of one.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the exemption for carrying a firearm in a vehicle does not apply if the adult leaves the vehicle and the firearm becomes visible from the outside.

Floor votes · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by Governor

executive

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors