Less-Lethal Devices Firearms Modernization

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

What this does

This bill exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearms law, defining them in the Gun Control Act and carving them out of the criminal code, the firearms excise tax, and the National Firearms Act.

House vote · 233-185

Democrats22–184

Republicans211–1

Independents0–0

How we know · 11 sourced claims

The bill amends the Gun Control Act (18 U.S.C. 921(a)) to define a less-than-lethal projectile device and exempt it from restrictions under title 18.Source: Sec. 102, lines 20-27 (heading 'Exemption of certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from restrictions under title 18'; amends Section 921(a) of title 18)
The definition covers a device that cannot fire handgun, rifle, or shotgun ammunition or any projectile faster than 500 feet per second.Source: Sec. 102(39)(A)(i), lines 23-24
The definition requires the device to be designed and intended for use in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.Source: Sec. 102(39)(A)(ii), line 25
The definition excludes any device that can accept a feeding device loaded through the inside of a pistol grip or one commonly used in semiautomatic firearms.Source: Sec. 102(39)(A)(iii), lines 25-26
On request, the Attorney General must determine within 90 days whether a device qualifies.Source: Sec. 102(39)(B), line 27
The bill exempts these devices, and qualifying shells or cartridges made for them, from the federal firearms and ammunition excise tax imposed by section 4181.Source: Sec. 202, lines 31-38 (new 26 U.S.C. 4182(d)(1))
The bill exempts less-than-lethal projectile devices from the National Firearms Act.Source: Sec. 203, line 57 (amends Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code)
The Secretary of the Treasury must publish and annually update a list of qualifying devices.Source: Sec. 202, new 26 U.S.C. 4182(d)(4)(A), line 47
The Secretary must keep a separate list of devices that would qualify but for projectiles exceeding 500 feet per second, and report that list annually to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees.Source: Sec. 202, new 26 U.S.C. 4182(d)(4)(B), lines 48-52
The exemptions apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after the date of enactment.Source: Sec. 202(b)(1), line 54
Both titles are confined to the single subject of exempting less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearms law; no unrelated rider appears.Source: Titles I and II, lines 17-57 (Title I amends 18 U.S.C. 921; Title II amends 26 U.S.C. 4181/4182 and 5845)

Read the bill on congress.gov ↗

Your representatives

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House roll call

The full roll call

R210–1D22–182I1–0

Position

Party

State

Republicans

215

Democrats

211

Independents

YeaKevin KileyCA · District 3