HR2790-119

What This Bill Does

The GOSAFE Act creates a detailed federal firearm restriction keyed to gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and magazines over 10 rounds. It defines semi-automatic firearm, gas-operated cycling systems, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It makes it unlawful to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, receive, or possess prohibited listed gas-operated semi-automatic firearms, modified firearms, parts combinations that create such firearms, rate-increasing devices, and post-enactment large-capacity feeding devices. It preserves exceptions for federal, State, Tribal, and local government authority, nuclear-security licensees, pre-enactment lawful possession, and certain immediate-family transfers through a licensed dealer. It also allows Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds for buyback programs, adds penalties, requires marking for exempt newly manufactured or imported firearms and magazines, and directs the Attorney General through ATF to issue prohibited-firearm determinations within 180 days.

Who Benefits and How

Gun violence prevention organizations benefit because the bill targets high-capacity and high-rate semi-automatic firearm configurations. State buyback programs benefit because Byrne grant funds can be used to buy back covered gas-operated firearms and large-capacity feeding devices. Public safety agencies benefit from exceptions that preserve official acquisition and possession authority. Communities exposed to mass-shooting risk benefit if restricted firearms, magazines, and rate-increasing devices become less available.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Licensed firearms manufacturers must stop producing covered firearms for ordinary commercial sale and mark exempt government or nuclear-security transfers. Licensed firearms dealers must handle compliant immediate-family transfers and cannot sell newly prohibited covered items to the general public. Large-capacity magazine owners face transfer restrictions and bans on post-enactment possession for newly manufactured devices. ATF firearms classification staff must maintain prohibited-firearm determinations and administer markings, exceptions, and enforcement support.

Key Provisions

• Defines gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices over 10 rounds.
• Prohibits ordinary commerce and possession of listed covered firearms, parts, rate-increasing devices, and post-enactment large-capacity devices.
• Preserves exceptions for government entities, nuclear-security licensees, preexisting lawful firearms, and certain family transfers through licensees.
• Authorizes Byrne grant use for buyback programs targeting covered firearms and large-capacity feeding devices.
• Requires the Attorney General through ATF to issue prohibited-firearm determinations within 180 days.