GOSAFE Act

This bill aims to limit certain gas‑operated semi‑automatic guns. It tells the U.S. Attorney General and ATF to publish and keep an updated list of these guns that are banned, within 180 days of the law taking effect. Gun stores must record that buyers saw this list before selling any gun that is not on it. New semi‑automatic gun designs made after the law starts would need federal approval before they can be made for sale to civilians. Makers must submit a sample and detailed info; the government has up to 240 days to decide, can ask for more details, and will set application fees within 60 days. Those fees, along with certain firearm taxes, go into a new Firearm Safety Trust Fund to run the program. If a maker’s application is denied, they can appeal, and a court can step in if the decision wasn’t made fairly. Anyone can also challenge the removal of a gun from the banned list in court. Agencies must show strong evidence before taking a model off the list. Congress may provide extra funding as needed to carry this out.

• Who is affected: gun manufacturers, licensed gun dealers, gun buyers, and the Department of Justice/ATF.
• What changes:
  • A federal list of banned gas‑operated semi‑automatic guns, published and updated by DOJ/ATF.
  • Dealers must record buyer acknowledgment of this list before selling non‑listed guns.
  • New semi‑automatic designs need approval before civilian sales; applications require a sample and detailed information.
  • Fees are set to cover costs; money goes to a Firearm Safety Trust Fund.
  • Appeals and court review for denied applications; public can challenge removals from the banned list; strong evidence is required before removing a model.
• When:
  • List published within 180 days of enactment.
  • Fee structure set within 60 days.
  • Application decisions within 240 days.
  • Manufacturers have 90 days to appeal; DOJ has 180 days to decide the appeal.