SAGA Act

Bill Number

H.R. 373

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-05-20T08:05:52Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Second Amendment Guarantee Act" (SAGA Act), H.R. 373, aims to protect the rights of individuals to own and use rifles and shotguns by restricting states and local governments from enacting regulations or fees on these firearms that are stricter than federal law. It emphasizes federal supremacy in regulating interstate commerce related to these weapons, invoking Second Amendment protections.

Key Provisions

• Federal Preemption for Rifles and Shotguns: States or their political subdivisions (like cities or counties) cannot impose any regulation, ban, registration, or licensing requirement on the design, manufacture, importation, sale, transfer, possession, or marking of rifles or shotguns that affect or involve interstate or foreign commerce, if such measures are more restrictive than federal law.
• Limits on Penalties and Fees: States and localities are prohibited from imposing penalties, taxes, fees, or charges related to these firearms or related conduct that exceed those allowed under federal law.
• Invalidation of Conflicting Laws: Any state or local law—whether passed before, on, or after the bill's enactment—that violates these restrictions will have no legal effect (i.e., it is null and void).
• Broad Definition of "Rifle or Shotgun": The term includes any parts of a rifle or shotgun, detachable magazines or ammunition-feeding devices, and specific designs like pistol grips or stocks.
• Remedies for Violations: In lawsuits seeking damages or other relief for violations, courts must award reasonable attorney's fees to the winning plaintiff, in addition to any other remedies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 927 of Title 18, United States Code (which currently states that federal firearms laws do not override state laws on possession or sale of firearms).
• Inserts a new subsection (b) creating an explicit exception for rifles and shotguns, establishing federal preemption (meaning federal rules take priority over state/local ones) in cases involving interstate or foreign commerce.
• This shifts from the prior framework, where states had broad authority to regulate firearms, to one that voids stricter state/local measures specifically for these types of guns.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Gun owners and buyers of rifles or shotguns may face fewer barriers to acquisition, possession, and use, as state-level restrictions (e.g., assault weapon bans or extra licensing) could be invalidated, potentially increasing access nationwide.
• On Government Agencies: State and local law enforcement or regulatory bodies may need to revise or abandon existing gun control measures, leading to enforcement challenges and possible resource shifts. Federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), could see increased involvement in overseeing compliance.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect U.S. firearms exports or imports by standardizing regulations at the federal level, potentially easing trade in rifles and shotguns.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Gun Owners and Enthusiasts: Benefit from reduced regulatory hurdles.
• Firearms Manufacturers and Sellers: Gain uniformity in interstate sales, potentially boosting business by eliminating patchwork state laws.
• States and Local Governments: Lose authority to enact tailored gun safety measures, affecting jurisdictions with strict controls (e.g., California or New York).
• Advocacy Groups: Pro-Second Amendment organizations (e.g., NRA) likely support it, while gun control advocates (e.g., Everytown for Gun Safety) may oppose it.
• Federal Government: Gains enforcement tools to uphold national standards.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Strengthens federal commerce clause authority (under the U.S. Constitution, Congress can regulate interstate trade) to override state laws, potentially leading to more lawsuits challenging state gun regulations. The provision for attorney's fees encourages private enforcement through courts.
• Constitutional Implications: Directly ties to the Second Amendment (right to bear arms), arguing for broader individual protections post-recent Supreme Court rulings like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), which expanded gun rights. It raises federalism concerns, as it limits states' traditional "police powers" to protect public safety.
• Political Implications: Positions as a pro-gun rights measure in a divided Congress, likely sparking debates on balancing individual freedoms with public safety amid ongoing national discussions on gun violence. If passed, it could influence future legislation on other firearms like handguns.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-01-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Second Amendment Guarantee Act — issued 2025-01-13 — PDF (3 pages)