Last progress February 4, 2025 (10 months ago)
Introduced on February 4, 2025 by Joaquin Castro
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill would ban new.50 caliber rifles in the U.S. It makes it illegal to import, sell, make, transfer, or possess rifles that can fire.50 caliber ammo. There are exceptions for government use and for rifles people already owned before the law takes effect. Current owners would have 12 months to register these rifles with the federal registry, with no fee, and the registration information cannot be used against them in a criminal case about past or current violations. After 12 months, these rifles would be treated like other tightly regulated firearms under federal law.
The bill also targets gun trafficking linked to drug cartels. It allows lawsuits against gun makers or sellers who knowingly try to sell guns in violation of U.S. “drug kingpin” sanctions. It bars gun sales to people named under those sanctions and makes sure the background check system includes them. It also adds rifles to the rule that requires gun dealers to report multiple firearm sales.