Sponsors (17)
I'll give you the short version of this bill.
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Makes it illegal for private, unlicensed persons to transfer ammunition directly to another unlicensed person unless a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer first takes possession and handles the transfer under federal rules. Strengthens the background‑check framework around ammunition sales, requires dealers to notify and collect a certification from unlicensed recipients, preserves several narrow exceptions, and delays the law's start for 180 days to allow preparation. States can still pass their own laws on ammunition transfers, and the law says it does not create a national firearms or ammunition registry.
The bill aims to reduce ammunition access by prohibited persons and preserve state control and privacy protections (no federal registry), but it does so by expanding dealer-mediated transfers and screening that raise compliance costs, risk criminalizing some ordinary private transfers, create patchy
Most buyers and the general public would face stricter screening and more dealer-mediated transfers, reducing the chances that people legally prohibited from possessing ammunition can obtain it.
Households and recreational shooters retain common, narrow exemptions (close-family loans/gifts, emergency lifesaving transfers, and temporary transfers for ranges/hunting), preserving ordinary familial assistance and common recreational uses.
State and local governments (and residents) keep primary authority over firearms/ammunition rules and the law prohibits a federal registry, protecting local control and reducing risk of consolidated federal gun ownership records while clarifying federal limits.
Agencies, businesses, and individuals get about six months to update systems, policies, and training, which reduces immediate disruptions and gives people time to learn and adjust to new requirements.
Private individuals who transfer ammunition in ordinary, noncommercial circumstances risk criminal liability if their transfer does not meet an exemption, exposing casual sellers/transferees to prosecution and legal uncertainty.
Dealers, small businesses, purchasers, and taxpayers could face higher administrative costs and fees from expanded screening and additional paperwork (certifications, recordkeeping), shifting costs onto consumers or public budgets.
Law-abiding gun owners and people traveling between states could face longer wait times, more intrusive checks, and uneven rules as state-by-state variation persists, creating inconsistent burdens and confusion across state lines.
Prohibiting a federal registry and preserving state variation could limit federal investigative tools and leave residents in some states with weaker protections, potentially complicating some law‑enforcement efforts and reducing uniform public safety.
Establishes the purpose of the Act as enhancing the background check process to prevent prohibited individuals from purchasing ammunition.
States the problem that the background check process needs enhancement to stop purchases of ammunition by persons disallowed under federal and state law.
Declares the policy objective to strengthen background checks as a means to prevent prohibited persons from acquiring ammunition.
Strikes former subsection (s) of 18 U.S.C. § 922 and redesignates subsection (t) as subsection (s).
Inserts new subsection (t) into 18 U.S.C. § 922 establishing rules governing transfers of ammunition involving unlicensed persons.
Who is affected and how:
Licensed firearm businesses and small business owners (licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers): These entities will handle more transfers that were previously private. That increases administrative tasks, recordkeeping, and the need to collect certification forms and give required notices. There may be modest compliance costs, training needs, and potentially increased liability or inspection risk.
Individuals who buy, sell, or give ammunition privately (including many recreational shooters, hunters, and private sellers): Private transfers to other unlicensed persons will generally need to be routed through a licensed dealer, adding time, possible transaction fees, and an additional procedural step. Some common informal transfers (e.g., between friends, at gun shows, or in rural areas) will be affected, though specified exceptions allow some transfers.
Law enforcement and emergency responders: Several officer‑related and emergency life‑saving exceptions are included, so normal official duties should not be broadly impeded.
State governments: The Act preserves states' ability to adopt local rules, but states may face pressure to update their own statutes or enforcement practices to align with the federal rule. The federal law limits some interpretations (no registry) but does not preempt state action.
Federal agencies (e.g., agencies that oversee firearm/ammunition regulation): Will likely need to issue guidance, implement compliance oversight, and handle any increased enforcement workload. The 180‑day delayed effective date provides time to prepare, but no separate funding is specified, so administrative costs could fall within existing agency budgets.
Overall effects: The bill aims to close a pathway for prohibited persons to access ammunition by moving many private transfers into the regulated dealer channel. That may reduce illegal access but raises compliance burdens for dealers and inconvenience for some private parties. The law attempts to limit certain federal intrusions by denying a national registry and preserving state authority, but it may still prompt legal and political debate about gun rules and private‑transfer limits.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Strikes existing subsection (s); redesignates subsection (t) as subsection (s) and makes insertions into the redesignated subsection (s); and inserts a new subsection (t) establishing unlawful transfers of ammunition by unlicensed persons unless a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer first takes possession to comply with subsection (s), sets out licensee obligations upon taking possession, lists exceptions, and requires notice and certification on a form prescribed by the Attorney General.
In the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strikes the text ", (g)(5)(B), and (s)(3)(B)(v)(II)" and inserts "and (g)(5)(B)".
In the matter preceding paragraph (1), strikes "subsection (s) or (t) of section 922" and inserts "section 922(s)".
Makes conforming changes replacing references to "922(t)" with "922(s)": (i) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), strikes "922(t)" and inserts "922(s)"; and (ii) in subsection (b), strikes "922(t) of title 18, United States Code" and inserts "922(s)".
Amends section 103(l) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act by striking "(t)" and inserting "(s)"; and amends the provision (codified at 34 U.S.C. 40901) derived from section 511 of title V of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 by replacing each occurrence with "subsection (s) or (t) of section 922".
In section 103(f) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, strikes the reference to "922(t)" and inserts a reference to "922(s)".
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Debbie Wasserman Schultz · Last progress February 12, 2026
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Jaime’s Law