Keep Americans Safe Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1674
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T08:07:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Keep Americans Safe Act" (H.R. 1674) aims to enhance public safety by restricting access to large capacity ammunition feeding devices, such as high-capacity magazines, which are seen as tools that can increase the lethality of firearms in mass shootings or other violent incidents. It seeks to limit their production, distribution, and new ownership while grandfathering existing lawful possessions.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device (LCFD): Any magazine, belt, drum, or similar device that holds more than 15 rounds of ammunition (or can be modified to do so), excluding tubular devices designed solely for .22 caliber rimfire ammunition (a small, low-powered type of bullet). It also defines "qualified law enforcement officer" by reference to existing law.
- Prohibitions: Bans the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of LCFDs in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce starting from the date of enactment.
- Exceptions:
- Lawful possession of LCFDs owned before enactment.
- Use by federal, state, or local law enforcement (including campus officers at eligible higher education institutions), nuclear facility licensees, retired law enforcement officers (for devices obtained during service), and licensed manufacturers/importers for testing authorized by the Attorney General.
- Marking Requirements: LCFDs made after enactment must be engraved with a serial number, manufacturing date, and other identifiers prescribed by the Attorney General.
- Seizure and Forfeiture: LCFDs involved in violations can be seized and forfeited, similar to rules for illegal firearms or ammunition.
- Penalties: Violations are treated as federal crimes, with fines and up to 5 years in prison (matching penalties for certain other gun law violations).
- Buy-Back Programs: Allows federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grants to fund programs where individuals can surrender LCFDs for compensation.
- Severability Clause: If any part of the law is ruled unconstitutional, the rest remains in effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 (part of Title 18 of the U.S. Code) by adding a new subsection (v) to Section 922, which previously regulated firearms and ammunition but did not specifically address high-capacity magazines.
- Expands seizure/forfeiture rules in Section 924(d) to include LCFDs.
- Updates penalty provisions in Section 924(a) to cover the new ban.
- Modifies Byrne Grant eligibility under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to support LCFD buy-backs, which were not previously authorized for this purpose.
- These changes build on the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban (which expired in 2004 and included a similar magazine limit) but apply more broadly to devices without tying them to specific firearms.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will enforce the ban, including inspections and regulations for markings. State and local law enforcement gain exemptions but may handle increased compliance and buy-back logistics. Federal grants could fund voluntary surrender programs, potentially reducing illegal circulation.
- On Citizens: Individuals who already own LCFDs can keep them but cannot buy, sell, or transfer new ones, limiting future access for self-defense, hunting, or sport shooting. Buy-back programs may encourage voluntary compliance, offering compensation to offset losses.
- On International Relations: Could affect U.S. arms exports/imports if foreign entities deal in LCFDs, but exemptions for law enforcement and testing minimize direct trade disruptions.
- Overall, it may reduce the availability of high-capacity devices, potentially lowering casualties in active shooter events, though enforcement challenges could arise in states with differing gun laws.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Gun Owners and Civilians: Primary impact on those with firearms using magazines over 15 rounds (e.g., for hunting, sport, or protection); they retain current devices but face restrictions on acquiring more.
- Firearms Manufacturers and Importers: Prohibited from producing or importing new LCFDs (except for exempted purposes), potentially reducing revenue from accessories; must comply with new marking rules.
- Law Enforcement and Security Personnel: Exempted for official use, including retired officers and campus police, ensuring they maintain access without interruption.
- Government Entities: Federal agencies (e.g., ATF, DOJ) for enforcement; state/local governments for buy-backs; nuclear facilities for security needs.
- Advocacy Groups: Gun rights organizations (e.g., NRA) may oppose restrictions; gun control advocates (e.g., Everytown) may support for safety reasons.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The ban could be challenged in court as infringing on the Second Amendment right to bear arms, similar to past cases on magazine limits (e.g., upheld in some circuits but struck down in others). The grandfather clause and exemptions aim to narrow its scope, potentially strengthening its defensibility. Severability protects the law from being fully invalidated by partial rulings.
- Constitutional: Raises questions about federal commerce power (regulating interstate trade) versus individual rights; does not directly address due process but includes clear definitions to avoid vagueness challenges.
- Political: Introduced by a large bipartisan group of House Democrats, it reflects ongoing debates on gun control post-mass shootings. Passage could energize gun reform efforts but face Senate filibuster or presidential veto risks; state-level variations (e.g., some states already ban high-capacity magazines) may lead to uneven enforcement nationwide.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (145)
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-31], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] and 95 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keep Americans Safe Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (8 pages)