To modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Scott Fitzgerald (Republican-WI)March 18, 2025

AI-generated ?

Report an error

Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Received in the Senate.

Lets certain less-than-lethal devices avoid federal firearm rules.

This bill would update federal law so that specific less-than-lethal devices are not considered firearms. This means manufacturers and users of these devices would face fewer federal rules. The bill also sets clear guidelines for what counts as a less-than-lethal device.

What Would Change

Today, federal law defines "firearm" without specifically exempting less-than-lethal projectile devices, meaning they could be subject to the same restrictions as traditional firearms. After this bill, specific less-than-lethal devices would not be considered firearms under federal law. These devices would be defined by criteria such as not firing projectiles over 500 feet per second. They also would not use certain ammunition feeding devices.

Key Provisions

Exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from being defined as "firearms" under federal law.
Defines a "less-than-lethal projectile device" as one not designed to fire common ammunition or projectiles faster than 500 feet per second.
Requires a "less-than-lethal projectile device" to be designed to not likely cause death or serious injury and not accept certain ammunition feeding devices.
Requires the Attorney General to decide if a device meets this new definition within 90 days of a request.