Sponsors (49)
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Lucy Mcbath · Last progress April 9, 2025
The bill sharply restricts manufacture, sale, and possession of many semi‑automatic weapons and strengthens enforcement and oversight to reduce firearm availability, but it also imposes significant costs and compliance burdens on owners and businesses, increases criminal penalties with potential disproportionate impacts, and redirects public funds toward enforcement and buybacks.
Millions of civilian gun owners (homeowners, veterans) and the general public will face reduced availability and circulation of gas‑operated semi‑automatic firearms and large‑capacity feeding devices because the bill bans manufacture, sale, import, transfer and (with limited grandfathering) possession of listed weapons and limits post‑enactment LCFD transfers.
Local police departments and communities gain funded buyback and removal tools (Byrne‑funded programs) to purchase surrendered covered firearms and magazines, giving jurisdictions a direct mechanism to reduce some weapons in circulation.
Victims and communities may get greater protection because the bill increases criminal penalties for possession and use of prohibited firearms and gives prosecutors clearer statutory authority, which can deter criminal use and improve enforcement consistency.
Current lawful owners (homeowners, veterans) face new transfer restrictions and possible requirements to surrender, permanently alter, or immobilize previously legal equipment, plus heightened criminal penalties — imposing financial losses and increased risk of criminal exposure that may fall disproportionately on marginalized communities.
Small businesses (manufacturers, importers, dealers) and aftermarket service providers will face substantial new compliance costs: marking and serial requirements, preapproval fees and review delays, dealer recording/acknowledgment burdens, and lost accessory/service markets, which can raise prices and harm small firms.
Taxpayers and local governments will fund buybacks and contribute to a dedicated Firearm Safety Trust Fund, increasing public expenditures for weapon purchases and effectively earmarking certain tax receipts away from general Treasury uses.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits most "gas‑operated" semi‑automatic firearms and new high‑capacity ammunition feeding devices (magazines, drums, belts, etc. that hold more than 10 rounds) in interstate or foreign commerce, while creating criminal penalties for violations and exceptions for certain government and Atomic Energy Act uses and pre‑enactment possessions. Directs the Attorney General/ATF to publish and maintain a list of prohibited gas‑operated semi‑automatic models, sets an application and review process for pre‑market approval of newly designed semi‑automatic firearms for civilian sale, requires marking of covered items made or imported under exceptions, establishes fees and a trust fund to support administration, and allows Byrne grant funds to be used for law‑enforcement buyback compensation for covered firearms and magazines.