If you’re reading this, you are indeed a warrior. You made it through 2024, and boy was it a crazy year. As we step into 2025, the legal landscape around firearms is making a shift in a few states. From tightening restrictions to expanding rights, these new laws will impact gun owners, enthusiasts, and Second Amendment advocates nationwide. Read to find out what’s changing, where, and what it means for us, the 2A community.
California: Doubling Down on Gun Restrictions
California continues to lead the charge in laying down the strictest gun regulations in the country. Starting January 1, new laws include:
Limiting Private Party Sales: A new law removes exceptions that let private sales skip the one-handgun-per-30-day rule. However, enforcement is on hold due to court challenges.
Required Gun Safety Info: Firearm dealers must now give buyers pamphlets explaining the risks of owning a gun, including the dangers of suicide, homicide, and accidents.
Stronger Restraining Orders: Courts can issue gun violence restraining orders for hate-based threats or threats against groups and locations. They can also consider protective orders from other states.
Get Our Free Pro Training, Interviews, and Discounts on More Advanced and Live Training? Click to Join Our Email List
Colorado: Storage and Concealed Carry
Colorado’s laws take aim at safer storage practices and concealed carry permits:
Vehicle Storage Requirements: Handguns stored in unattended vehicles must be locked in a hard-sided container, hidden from plain sight, with the vehicle itself locked.
Stricter Concealed Carry Regulations (Effective July 1): Applicants will need to complete eight hours of training, including live-fire exercises and a written exam. Certain misdemeanors within the past five years will disqualify applicants.
New Hampshire: Privacy & Workplace Protections
In New Hampshire, 2025 brings new protections for gun owners:
Merchant Category Code Ban: HB 1186 prevents using merchant codes to track firearm-related purchases.
Workplace Storage Rights: Employers cannot bar legally owned firearms from being stored in locked vehicles on company property, provided the firearm is not visible.
Minnesota: Binary Trigger Ban
Starting January 1, Minnesota bans binary triggers. These triggers allow firearms to fire one round on the pull and another on the release of the trigger. This adds to existing bans on other trigger-enhancing devices that come with severe penalties for violations.
Delaware:
Delaware adds university campuses to its Safe School Zone law, making it a felony to possess firearms on campus unless acting in an official capacity, such as law enforcement.
Kentucky:
Kentucky joins several states banning merchant category codes for gun retailers. This takes effect January 1. This is a win for privacy advocates concerned about financial institutions tracking firearm-related purchases.
Ghost Guns:
Ghost guns are untraceable firearms often made from kits that don’t have serial numbers. They’ve been in the spotlight recently after a UnitedHealthcare CEO was murdered in New York, allegedly with one of these guns. The Supreme Court is set to rule on Garland v. VanDerStok, a case that could decide if the ATF can regulate these kits as firearms. This decision will play a big role in shaping how ghost guns are handled in the future.
Conclusion
As these laws take effect, they highlight the ongoing battle between 2A proponents and gun control advocates. If your state isn’t mentioned here, it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Firearm laws are constantly evolving, and staying informed is super important. Make it a habit to regularly review your state’s firearm regulations to make sure you’re compliant and legal. Staying ahead of the curve protects both you and your Second Amendment rights.
Also, remember that self-defense skills are perishable; what you don’t practice, you lose. To stay sharp and prepared for various emergency situations, we offer training in pistol, rifle, empty-hand, and edged weapon techniques. Let us know how we can help you continue to build confidence and capability in your personal safety.
About The Author
Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.
