Substitute House Bill No. 7042, effective October 1, 2025, establishes new regulations under the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, which holds firearm industry members accountable for preventing unlawful sales and ensuring compliance with existing laws. The bill defines key terms such as "firearm industry member" and "firearm trafficker," and prohibits these members from directing advertising that promotes unlawful sales or poses risks to public safety. It allows civil actions against violators, enabling individuals, municipalities, or the Attorney General to seek remedies such as injunctive relief and damages. Additionally, the bill amends the process for issuing temporary state permits to carry pistols or revolvers, requiring applicants to undergo a criminal history check and complete an approved safety course, with specific disqualifications based on criminal and mental health history.

The bill also modifies eligibility requirements for long gun eligibility certificates, mandating that applicants complete a safety course with updated criteria based on the application date. It reduces the look-back period for certain misdemeanor violations from twenty years to eight years and expands disqualifying criteria to include family violence-related offenses. Furthermore, the bill introduces amendments to firearm discharge and hunting regulations, classifying negligent or careless discharge of a firearm as a class C misdemeanor while allowing lawful self-defense actions. The overall aim of the bill is to enhance public safety by ensuring that only qualified individuals can carry firearms and by refining hunting regulations to balance public safety with individual rights.

Statutes affected:
File No. 819: 29-36f, 29-37p, 53-203, 26-66
Public Act No. 25-43: 29-36f, 29-37p, 53-203, 26-66