Safe Students Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5066
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-29: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T14:31:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Safe Students Act (H.R. 5066) aims to eliminate the federal prohibition on possessing firearms in and around school zones, shifting such regulation entirely to state and local authorities. It seeks to repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which was originally enacted to enhance school safety by restricting guns near educational facilities.
Key Provisions
- Repeal of Core Law: Strikes subsection (q) from Section 922 of Title 18, United States Code, which banned the possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of school grounds (with exceptions for licensed individuals, law enforcement, and certain transports).
- Amendments to Definitions: Removes paragraphs (25) through (27) from Section 921(a) of Title 18, United States Code, which defined terms like "school zone" and related exceptions; renumbers subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
- Penalties Adjustments: Updates Section 924(a) of Title 18, United States Code, by eliminating references to the repealed subsection (q) in penalty provisions and renumbering related paragraphs.
- Full Repeal of Original Act: Completely repeals the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (as codified in notes to 18 U.S.C. §§ 921 and 922).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill would remove the longstanding federal criminal penalty (up to 5 years imprisonment) for knowingly possessing a firearm in a school zone, except in cases already covered by other federal laws (e.g., felons or those under domestic violence orders). It reverses amendments made in 1995 and 1996 that narrowed the original 1990 Act's scope after a Supreme Court ruling found parts unconstitutional. Authority over gun possession near schools would revert to state and local laws, potentially allowing guns in these areas where states permit.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice and federal law enforcement would lose jurisdiction over school zone gun violations, reducing federal prosecutions and enforcement costs but increasing reliance on state resources for school safety measures.
- On Citizens: Gun owners could legally carry firearms near schools in states without similar bans, potentially increasing personal protection options but raising safety concerns for students and educators. Parents and school staff might face varied rules depending on their state.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic firearms regulation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Gun Rights Advocates and Owners: Benefit from reduced federal restrictions, aligning with Second Amendment interpretations favoring state control.
- Schools, Students, and Educators: Could see changes in campus security protocols, with potential risks or benefits depending on local laws; school administrators may need to adapt policies.
- Law Enforcement: Federal agencies handle fewer cases, while state and local police manage enforcement, possibly leading to inconsistencies across jurisdictions.
- Parents and Communities: Influenced by shifts in school safety perceptions, with debates over balancing self-defense rights and child protection.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Builds on the 1995 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Lopez, which struck down the original Act as exceeding Congress's commerce power; repeal would fully defer to states, potentially avoiding future federal overreach challenges while inviting state-level lawsuits on school safety.
- Political: Sponsored by representatives favoring gun rights deregulation, it reflects ongoing debates over federal vs. state authority on firearms. Passage could polarize views on school violence prevention, especially post-mass shootings, without altering other federal gun laws like background checks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-29: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-08-29: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safe Students Act — issued 2025-08-29 — PDF (2 pages)