Responsible Firearms Marketing Act

Summary#

This measure directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study advertising and marketing of firearms and to report its findings to Congress. The FTC must look for advertising that may be unfair or deceptive. The study must consider marketing that may be aimed at people under 18, marketing that implies or encourages illegal use, and marketing of semiautomatic assault weapons. The FTC must deliver a report within 2 years and may recommend actions.

After the report, the FTC must issue rules within 18 months to ban unfair or deceptive advertising or marketing by firearm manufacturers, dealers, or importers. The rules must address youth-targeted ads, messaging that implies illegal use, and ads for semiautomatic assault weapons. Violations of those rules would be enforced by the FTC using the same powers and penalties it has under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The text also defines key terms by reference to existing federal law.

What it means for you#

• The FTC will review firearm advertising and marketing practices and publish a report to Congress within two years.
• Within a year and a half after that report, the FTC will make rules that could limit how manufacturers, dealers, and importers advertise firearms.
• Those rules could bar ads aimed at people under 18, ads that suggest illegal use, and certain ads for semiautomatic assault weapons.
• The FTC would enforce the new rules using its existing authority, including seeking penalties for violations.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or funding is provided in the text of the measure.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.