Last progress June 17, 2025 (5 months ago)
Introduced on June 17, 2025 by Adam Schiff
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
This legislation would make it illegal to run a business that destroys firearms unless you have a federal license. Licensed firearm destroyers would have to follow approved methods that fully disable the gun and all parts so they can’t be put back together, and reduce them to scrap. The Justice Department, through ATF, must set the accepted destruction methods and required records within 180 days. The law would take effect 180 days after it is signed. Violations would be added to the federal penalties list.
Licensed destroyers would also have new transparency rules. Each year, they must report how many firearms they destroyed, including those received from government agencies and other sources. ATF must publish these reports and share totals. If a licensed destroyer takes guns from a government agency to destroy, they must use an approved method (unless both sides agree otherwise) and publicly share what they charge the agency. Grants would be available to states, localities, and Tribes to help pay licensed dealers to destroy firearms using approved methods. Existing dealers must certify they meet the new rules or risk losing their license.
| Who is affected | What changes | When |
|---|---|---|
| Businesses that destroy firearms | Must have a federal license and use ATF-approved destruction methods; keep records and file yearly reports | Rules issued within 180 days; law takes effect 180 days after enactment |
| Government agencies (state, local, Tribal, federal) | If they send guns for destruction, licensed dealers must use approved methods and publicly share fees | Ongoing once effective; reports made public yearly |
| States, localities, and Tribes | Can apply for federal grants to pay licensed dealers to destroy firearms using approved methods | Grants start no later than 1 year after the law’s effective date |