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Creates a statutory category for "less-than-lethal projectile devices," excludes qualifying devices from certain federal firearm definitions and from the 10% manufacturers' excise tax, and removes them from some National Firearms Act coverage. Devices must meet three tests (cannot fire or be readily converted to fire common handgun/rifle/shotgun ammunition or any projectile over 500 ft/s; designed for use not likely to cause death/serious injury; cannot accept or be readily modified to accept certain internal-feed ammunition devices). The Attorney General and the Treasury Secretary must make 90-day determinations on whether specific devices meet the definition; Treasury must publish annual lists and a special list of devices exceeding 500 ft/s that would otherwise qualify, and report that list to tax committees. The tax and NFA changes apply to articles sold after enactment, with a special 180-day rule for early requests.
The bill makes it easier and cheaper for manufacturers and law enforcement to obtain and deploy defined less‑than‑lethal projectile devices by creating exemptions and a predictable review process, but it raises significant public‑safety, enforcement, and revenue risks from broader civilian availability and potential conversion or compliance disputes.
Law enforcement agencies can acquire and deploy defined less‑than‑lethal projectile devices more easily, expanding nonlethal response options available to officers.
A 500 ft/s velocity cap and an intent requirement limit access to higher‑power devices, which should reduce the likelihood of death or serious bodily injury from these projectiles.
Manufacturers and importers gain clearer, more predictable administration (90‑day determinations and public lists), reducing regulatory uncertainty about whether products qualify for tax exemption and NFA exclusion.
Removing excise tax and NFA classification and otherwise making qualifying devices easier to buy may increase civilian access and availability of projectile devices that can still cause serious injury, raising public safety risks.
Loopholes, post‑sale modifications, or devices that are 'readily converted' could enable conversion to more dangerous weapons, creating enforcement challenges and increasing risk of misuse.
The bill's 500 ft/s cutoff and 'readily converted' language may generate compliance disputes and legal uncertainty for manufacturers and regulators, undermining some intended clarity.
Introduced March 18, 2025 by Scott Fitzgerald · Last progress February 24, 2026