Assault Weapons Ban of 2025

Summary#

This bill adds definitions to federal law and makes it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a wide range of defined "semiautomatic assault weapons" and "large capacity ammunition feeding devices" (magazines, belts, drums, etc., that can accept more than 15 rounds). The bill lists specific features and named models that meet the definitions, and it includes belt-fed semiautomatic firearms and many listed makes and models. The ban does not apply to weapons and magazines lawfully possessed on the date of enactment (they are "grandfathered"). The bill also creates accessory and parts coverage (combinations of parts and receivers), requires new semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity feeding devices made after enactment to be marked with a serial number and date of manufacture, and extends seizure and forfeiture provisions to cover large-capacity devices. The Attorney General must keep and publish an annual record of semiautomatic assault weapons used in crimes. The bill adds a secure-storage requirement for grandfathered assault weapons when they could be accessible to people prohibited from possessing firearms, with limited exceptions. It requires that most transfers of grandfathered semiautomatic assault weapons between unlicensed persons go through a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer (who must comply with existing transfer procedures), with narrow exceptions for temporary range use. The Attorney General may issue regulations to implement the transfer rule, including setting a maximum fee licensees may charge. The bill allows certain federal and state agencies, qualified law enforcement officers, retired law enforcement officers in specified cases, and licensed manufacturers (for testing) to import, possess, or transfer the covered firearms. The bill also amends Byrne grant language to allow use of those grant funds to compensate people in buy-back programs. A severability clause is included.

What it means for you#

• If you acquire or own a firearm or magazine described by the bill after enactment, it would be unlawful to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess that item, unless an exception applies. Existing semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity devices lawfully owned on the date of enactment are grandfathered, but they are subject to the secure-storage requirement and transfer rules in the bill.
• People who are not licensed federal firearms dealers and who want to transfer a grandfathered semiautomatic assault weapon to another unlicensed person must have a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer take custody of the weapon and follow the federal transfer procedures. Temporary transfers for range use under specified conditions are allowed.
• Law enforcement agencies, some retired officers, government agencies, campus law enforcement, and licensed manufacturers/importers have specific exemptions described in the bill.
• New semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity feeding devices manufactured after enactment must carry serial numbers and dates of manufacture as described.

Expenses#

• The bill amends Byrne grant purposes to allow grant funds to compensate people in buy-back programs for covered weapons and large-capacity feeding devices, which opens a federal funding route for such programs.
• The Attorney General is required to establish and publish an annual record of assault weapons used in crimes and to issue implementing regulations, which may require administrative resources. No publicly available information on estimated federal costs, savings, or other budgetary impacts is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text about proponents' stated reasons, findings, or claims beyond the statutory changes and sponsor list.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text about opponents' stated reasons, findings, or claims.