HR1674-119

What This Bill Does

The Keep Americans Safe Act creates a federal restriction on large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It amends title 18 to make it unlawful to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess such a device in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. The bill preserves pre-enactment lawful possession and creates exceptions for federal, state, local, and campus law enforcement, certain retired law enforcement officers, licensees handling devices for government or law enforcement purposes, and specified testing or authorization contexts. It also amends the Byrne grant program so grant funds may compensate people who surrender large-capacity ammunition feeding devices through buyback programs. The bill therefore combines a prospective market ban with public funding support for voluntary device reduction.

Who Benefits and How

Gun violence prevention organizations benefit because the bill restricts future commerce and transfer of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Community residents benefit if fewer high-capacity devices are available for shootings involving sustained fire. State and local governments benefit because Byrne grants can support buyback compensation for surrendered devices. Law enforcement agencies benefit from express exceptions for official possession and from possible buyback tools.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Firearms accessory manufacturers lose legal market access for covered large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Firearms dealers must stop covered import, sale, manufacture, or transfer except under statutory exceptions. Device owners face possession and transfer restrictions unless their possession is grandfathered or otherwise exempt. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives staff must enforce the new federal restriction.

Key Provisions

• Bars most import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
• Protects lawful possession that predates enactment.
• Provides exceptions for government and law enforcement possession, transfer, and official uses.
• Authorizes Byrne grant funds for buyback compensation for surrendered devices.