Sponsors (3)
Creates a federal licensing system and rules for people and businesses that destroy firearms. It makes it illegal to operate as a firearm destroyer without a license, requires licensed destroyers to follow specified destruction methods and file annual reports, authorizes grants to governments to pay licensed entities to destroy firearms, and directs the Attorney General/ATF to write implementing regulations. The changes apply to existing licensed dealers and take effect 180 days after enactment.
Adds a new definition in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a): “firearm destroyer” means any person engaged in the business of destroying firearms, and explicitly excludes local, Federal, State, local, or Tribal government entities.
Adds a new definition in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a): “covered method of firearm destruction” means a method that renders a firearm and all parts, attachments, accessories, or other components received with the firearm unable to be restored to working condition and otherwise reduced to scrap.
Amends 18 U.S.C. § 922 to make it unlawful to engage in the business of destroying firearms except if the person is a licensed dealer.
Amends 18 U.S.C. § 923 licensing rules so applicants who receive firearms from government entities for destruction must certify they will destroy such firearms using a covered method of destruction.
Adds an annual reporting requirement: not later than 1 year after the effective date of the Act, and each year thereafter, each licensed dealer who is a firearm destroyer must submit to the ATF Director a report on the number of firearms destroyed in the prior year, including categories: (i) received for the purpose of destroying, (ii) received from government entities and destroyed using a covered method, and (iii) destroyed other than pursuant to (ii), including instances where parts were destroyed but not all components were rendered irreparable. The Attorney General/ATF must make each report and an aggregate of the reports publicly available.
Who is affected and how:
Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and businesses that already handle guns: Existing licensed dealers will be explicitly covered if they engage in destruction; they must obtain any required firearm-destroyer license (if different), adopt prescribed destruction methods, and submit annual reports. Compliance will create administrative obligations and may incur costs for altered procedures and recordkeeping.
State and local governments: Governments that collect surrendered, seized, or recovered firearms can receive federal grant funds to pay licensed destroyers to perform destruction. Grants lower the fiscal burden on jurisdictions that run buyback or surrender programs, but governments will need to apply for and manage grant-funded contracts.
New firearm-destruction businesses / entrepreneurs: New entrants must obtain federal licensure and meet method and reporting requirements before operating. Start-up costs, compliance steps, and delays from ATF rulemaking could affect market entry.
Gun owners and the public: Individuals surrendering or turning in firearms may see more formalized destruction processes and may be required to transact with licensed entities; the law is aimed at ensuring secure, verifiable destruction rather than informal or ad hoc methods.
ATF and DOJ: The agencies must develop implementing regulations, oversight systems, and enforcement processes, increasing administrative workload. Rulemaking will shape technical standards (what qualifies as an acceptable destruction method).
Practical effects and tradeoffs:
Last progress June 12, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 12, 2025 by Gabe Amo
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Updated 2 days ago
Last progress June 17, 2025 (7 months ago)