Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6769

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-01-15T13:24:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 6769: Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act

Purpose

This bill aims to enhance public safety by funding the safe and complete destruction of firearms and their parts. It authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to provide grants to state, tribal, and local governments to support these activities, helping to remove potentially dangerous weapons from circulation.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: The Attorney General can award competitive grants to eligible entities—defined as states (including the District of Columbia and territories), tribal governments, local governments, or their law enforcement agencies—for firearm destruction activities. Grants must be awarded within 180 days of appropriation.
• Application Requirements: Applicants must submit details on how funds will be used, partnerships with community organizations, certification that firearms (including all parts and components) will be fully destroyed, and plans for record-keeping.
• Subgrants and Duration: Grantees (states, tribes, or locals) can issue subgrants to local governments or law enforcement. Grants last two years.
• Proof of Destruction: Grantees must create policies for destroying and documenting firearms (e.g., via smelting, shredding, crushing, or cutting). The Attorney General will define acceptable proof, such as records of destroyed items.
• Use of Funds: Funds can cover equipment purchases or maintenance (e.g., tools for crushing or shredding), contracts with destruction services, and staff training. No more than 10% can go to administrative costs.
• Preferences and Funding: One-third of funds is reserved for small urban or rural areas (based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas). The bill authorizes $15 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
• Definitions: Key terms include "firearm destruction" (complete dismantling of weapons and accessories like barrels, grips, or silencers) and clarifications for states and tribal governments.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a new federal grant program specifically for firearm destruction, which does not appear to amend prior laws directly. It builds on existing authority for the Attorney General to manage grants but creates dedicated funding and standards for destroying seized or surrendered firearms, emphasizing full destruction to prevent reuse.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: State, tribal, and local law enforcement will gain resources to efficiently destroy firearms, potentially reducing storage costs and risks from holding weapons. The program could streamline disposal processes for confiscated guns.
• Citizens: May improve community safety by ensuring illegal or unwanted firearms are permanently removed, lowering risks of resale or theft. Rural and small urban areas could see prioritized benefits.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic firearm management.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Government Entities: State, tribal, and local governments, including their law enforcement agencies, as primary recipients and implementers.
• Community Organizations: Partners involved in firearm acquisition, disposal, or education programs.
• Businesses: Companies providing destruction services or equipment.
• General Public: Citizens in areas with high firearm-related issues, benefiting from safer disposal practices.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes clear federal standards for firearm destruction, including record-keeping and full dismantling, which could reduce liability for agencies mishandling weapons. It aligns with existing federal laws on seized property but adds enforcement through certifications.
• Constitutional: Supports public safety without restricting lawful gun ownership; focuses on destroying illegal or surplus firearms, avoiding direct Second Amendment conflicts (which protects the right to bear arms but allows regulation of dangerous items).
• Political: Promotes bipartisan cooperation on gun violence prevention (sponsored by a diverse group of representatives), potentially influencing future funding for public safety initiatives amid debates on firearm regulation.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

Cosponsors (15)

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (5 pages)