Operating as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) means navigating myriad Federal and State regulations. While Federal law sets the baseline, State laws can impose additional requirements or restrictions that vary widely. Failing to comply with these State-specific laws can lead to severe consequences, including hefty fines and expensive legal battles. Further, retention of your FFL is conditioned upon compliance with State laws. 

State firearm laws evolve regularly, often with little notice and far more frequently than Federal regulations. What was legal yesterday may be illegal today. 2025 has already seen nearly couple dozen new State laws that affect FFLs nationwide.  For example, Hawaii has enacted a new law requiring certain notifications be provided to consumers when purchasing a firearm and Colorado has implemented new provisions governing gun shows.  Other States have legislation pending to implement new “assault weapons” bans or modify existing bans.  Staying informed about these changes is crucial for compliance as violations of new State laws are more likely to result in fines or government lawsuits than ATF violations. 

While many new laws are often a burden, some new laws can in fact benefit the industry and it is equally important to be aware of those.  Laws such as State sales tax holidays and firearm industry protection acts are currently active topics across the country.  Here is a brief list of new or amended laws of which FFLs should be aware:

• Alabama Senate Bill 40: Firearms; firearm hold agreements defined; civil immunity therefrom provided.  (Enacted)
• Arkansas House Bill 1067: Concerning Firearm Hold Agreements; And To Provide Civil Immunity To A Federal Firearms Licensee Who Agrees To Hold A Firearm For An Individual. (Enacted)
• Colorado House Bill 1133: Requirements for Sale of Firearms Ammunition. (Signed by the Governor)
• Colorado House Bill 1238: Gun Show Requirements (Signed by the Governor)
• Colorado Senate Bill 3: Concerning Prohibited Activity Involving Semiautomatic Firearms, and, In Connection Therewith, Prohibiting the Manufacture, Distribution, Transfer, Sale, and Purchase of Specified Semiautomatic Firearms.  (Signed by the Governor)
• Hawaii House Bill 125: Requires retail sellers or transferers of firearms to provide purchasers with notice regarding the law on firearms storage. Expands the requirements for the secure storage of firearms. (Signed by the Governor)
• Hawaii House Bill 392: Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns. (Signed by the Governor)
• Montana Senate Bill 247: Modify tax classification of shooting ranges. (Passed by Both Houses of Legislature)
• New York Senate Bill 743: Includes rifles and shotguns in required warnings to consumers. (Signed by the Governor)
• New York Senate Bill 744: Includes pistol converters in the definition of a rapid-fire modification device. (Signed by the Governor)
• Utah Senate Bill 14: Private Sale of a Firearm Sunset Review Amendments. (Signed by the Governor)
• Virginia Senate Bill 881: Plastic firearms or receivers, unserialized firearms, etc.; transfer, etc., prohibited, penalties. (Sent to the Governor)
• Washington House Bill 1163: Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms. (Sent to the Governor)
• West Virginia House Bill 2067: West Virginia Firearms Liability Clarification Act. (Sent to the Governor)
• West Virginia House Bill 3342: Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act. (Sent to the Governor)

It is critical to note that FFLs are generally bound by the laws of other States not only when dealing with residents of other States at their licensed premises, but also when selling accessories, ammunition, or firearms online.  That means awareness of new laws is necessary.  In addition to the industry’s leading product restriction tool, Orchid’s eState software consolidates all pending legislation that will directly impact the industry into one location so FFLs are empowered to stay up to date with new laws.