Sponsors (5)
The bill protects firearm purchasers from additional state or local taxes/fees and creates private enforcement of that federal preemption, but does so by preempting state and local regulation of rifles and shotguns—reducing local control over gun-safety rules and creating legal uncertainty while shifting enforcement costs to courts and governments.
Firearm purchasers, owners, and small firearm retailers: state and local governments cannot add taxes or fees on rifles and shotguns beyond federal levels, lowering or preventing additional purchase costs.
Private parties and plaintiffs: the bill creates a private right of action with fee-shifting to enforce the federal preemption against state and local firearm taxes or fees, making federal preemption easier to vindicate in court.
Residents and local governments: the bill preempts and effectively nullifies state and local laws regulating rifles and shotguns (including existing local safety rules), reducing local ability to adopt stricter public-safety measures and creating legal uncertainty about gun-safety rules.
State and local governments and taxpayers: expanding federal preemption and enabling private enforcement may increase litigation against jurisdictions defending preexisting gun regulations, diverting public resources to legal defense and raising government legal costs.
General public and policymakers: the bill includes a non-substantive naming provision that does not change rights or obligations, representing symbolic legislation without practical effect.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars states and localities from enacting or enforcing restrictions, registrations, licensing, taxes, fees, or penalties on rifles/shotguns and certain accessories that are more restrictive than federal law and voids conflicting laws; prevailing plaintiffs may recover attorney’s fees.
Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to limit the authority of States and localities to regulate conduct, or impose penalties or taxes, in relation to rifles or shotguns.
Creates a federal rule that blocks states and localities from enacting or enforcing any law, regulation, registration, licensing requirement, tax, fee, or penalty on rifles or shotguns (including parts, detachable magazines/ammunition feeding devices, and pistol‑grip or stock designs) that is more restrictive or imposes greater monetary burdens than federal law. Conflicting state or local laws are declared void and prevailing plaintiffs who sue under the new preemption may recover reasonable attorney’s fees.
Introduced January 13, 2025 by Claudia Tenney · Last progress January 13, 2025