GOSAFE Act

This bill would create a clear system to identify and control certain gas‑operated semi‑automatic guns. The Attorney General, working through ATF, must publish and keep an updated list of these guns that are prohibited under federal law within 180 days of the law taking effect. Gun dealers would also have to record that a buyer has seen this list before selling any firearm that is not on it.

It also sets rules for new designs. Any semi‑automatic gun designed after the law takes effect must get approval from the Attorney General before it can be made for sale to civilians; manufacturers must submit a sample and detailed information, and the Attorney General has up to 240 days to decide. Fees for applications must be set within 60 days, and those fees—along with certain firearms taxes—go into a new Firearm Safety Trust Fund to pay for this work. If a manufacturer is denied, they can appeal within 90 days, and the Attorney General must issue a decision within 180 days. If ATF removes a gun from the prohibited list, anyone can ask a court to review that decision. ATF must also show strong evidence before taking a gun off the list.

Key points

• Who is affected: gun manufacturers, gun dealers, gun buyers, and ATF/the Attorney General.
• What changes: a published list of prohibited gas‑operated semi‑automatic firearms; dealers must record buyer acknowledgment of the list; new civilian gun designs need prior approval; fees and a Firearm Safety Trust Fund support the program; appeals and court review are available.
• When: list published within 180 days; fee structure set within 60 days; application decisions within 240 days; appeals due within 90 days and decided within 180 days.