Gun Safety Board and Research Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4882

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-06-23T08:05:56Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation aims to create a dedicated federal entity focused on studying and reducing firearm violence through research, public education, and policy recommendations.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Gun Safety Board within the Department of Health and Human Services within one year of enactment.
• Requires the Board to create a grant program (using at least half of appropriated funds) for original research on firearm violence reduction and public education on its causes, effects, and prevention methods.
• Directs the Board to conduct its own original research on firearm violence reduction.
• Mandates annual public reports in the Federal Register and on a Department website covering:
• Policy and funding recommendations for federal, state, and local governments.
• Priority areas needing more scientific study.
• Evaluations of existing and proposed laws' effectiveness in addressing specific issues such as domestic violence, suicide, mass shootings, police violence, and related costs.
• Sets the Board at 22 members appointed by the Secretary, including experts in public health, mental health, trauma surgery, law enforcement, firearm industry backgrounds, victims of violence, and representatives from agencies like the CDC, NIH, FBI, ATF, and various DOJ offices.
• Provides for staggered four-year terms, basic pay, travel expenses, a chair and vice chair, monthly meetings, and staff support.
• Authorizes $5 million annually for the first two fiscal years and $25 million per year thereafter, with a prohibition on reducing other federal gun violence research funds.
• Defines "firearm" by reference to existing federal law (18 U.S.C. § 921).

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new permanent structure and dedicated funding stream for firearm violence research and analysis, shifting from the current reliance on ad hoc studies within existing agencies. It explicitly requires evaluations of state and federal laws' impacts on multiple violence categories and socioeconomic effects, areas that have received limited federal attention in recent decades.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Increases coordination across HHS, DOJ, and other departments through Board membership and shared research priorities; may lead to new grant administration and data collection efforts.
• On citizens: Could expand public access to evidence-based information on firearm violence causes and prevention; potential long-term effects on health care costs, community safety, and policy development at multiple levels.
• On international relations: No direct provisions affect foreign policy or treaties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal agencies including HHS, CDC, NIH, ATF, FBI, and multiple DOJ components.
• Researchers, public health professionals, trauma surgeons, and mental health experts.
• Victims of firearm violence and advocacy organizations focused on violence prevention or racial justice.
• Firearm manufacturers, sellers, and recreational users.
• State and local governments receiving policy recommendations.
• Law enforcement and juvenile justice entities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation operates within the public health framework rather than direct regulation of firearms, potentially raising questions about the scope of federal research authority versus state powers. It does not alter Second Amendment protections or existing firearm laws but could influence future legislative proposals through its required efficacy analyses. No international or constitutional conflicts are addressed in the text itself.

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

Sponsor

Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Gun Safety Board and Research Act — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (8 pages)