Overview
Title
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a Federal firearms licensee from selling or delivering certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles or semiautomatic centerfire shotguns to a person under 21 years of age, with exceptions for active duty military personnel and full-time law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
Some grown-ups want to make a new rule where people under 21 can’t buy certain types of big toy guns, except for soldiers and police officers. They also want to make sure the people who help keep us safe are sharing information better.
Summary AI
H. R. 2368, also known as the "Raise the Age Act of 2025," proposes changes to the United States Code to restrict the sale of certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns to people under 21 years old, with exceptions for active military personnel and full-time law enforcement officers. It also seeks to amend related sections of the Code about firearm sales and defines terms like "qualified individual" and "ammunition feeding device." Additionally, the bill mandates that the FBI Director report to Congress about the FBI's public access line and suggests improvements for information-sharing protocols.
Published
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Bill Statistics
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The Raise the Age Act of 2025 introduces amendments to Title 18 of the United States Code focusing on the sale and delivery of certain semiautomatic firearms. Specifically, it proposes that federal firearms licensees be prohibited from selling or delivering semiautomatic centerfire rifles or shotguns with specific features to individuals under the age of 21. Notable exceptions apply to active-duty military personnel and certain law enforcement officers. Additionally, it mandates a report from the FBI regarding the operation of its public access line, recommending improvements for information-sharing protocols.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill introduces several significant issues that merit close examination:
Definition of 'Qualified Individual': The bill's broad definition, allowing active-duty military and specific government employees to bypass the age restriction, could potentially broaden the scope of individuals eligible to purchase these firearms under the exception.
Ammunition Feeding Device Exemptions: The exclusion of devices operating with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition from regulation may create a regulatory loophole, which could lead to variations in enforcement.
Complex Language: The use of intricate conditional and technical language may present difficulties in interpretation and application, affecting consistent legal enforcement.
Guidance on Identifying Age: The absence of clear guidance on determining the age of purchasers could arise in inconsistencies concerning who is permitted to purchase the specified firearms.
Ambiguity in FBI Recommendations: The lack of specificity in what constitutes improved protocols in the FBI's reporting requirement might lead to broad interpretations without clear accountability or enforcement mechanisms.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
Broad Impact on the Public:
The passage of the Raise the Age Act of 2025 could influence gun access among younger populations, reflecting broader concerns about public safety and firearm-related incidents. By restricting individuals under 21 from acquiring specified firearms, proponents may argue for a potential reduction in firearm misuse by younger age groups. However, critics may contend that this approach limits personal freedoms and rights protected under the Second Amendment.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders:
Young Adults Under 21: Individuals in this age bracket will be directly affected by this legislation, facing new limitations on purchasing specific types of firearms, which could affect their perceived rights to own and carry firearms for various purposes, including recreation or self-defense.
Firearms Dealers: Those in the business of selling firearms may find new regulatory complexities, potentially impacting sales and operational procedures. Compliance will necessitate accurate age verification processes and deal adjustments.
Military and Law Enforcement Personnel: The exceptions provided in this bill mean that active-duty military members and certain law enforcement officers remain unaffected, maintaining their access rights. This aligns their responsibilities and available tools with their public safety roles.
Legal and Regulatory Bodies: Organizations tasked with enforcing existing and new firearm regulations will need to adapt to the broadened scope of exceptions and possibly vague legislative language, which may pose a challenge for consistent enforcement.
Overall, this legislation represents an essential discourse in balancing public safety concerns with individual rights, prompting diverse reactions from various stakeholders. The anticipated changes rest on regulatory interpretations and outcomes of adjustments in federal firearms policy.
Issues
The broad definition of 'qualified individual' in Section 2 could lead to unintended interpretations or applications, potentially allowing more individuals to circumvent the age restriction. This could be significant politically and legally, as it affects access to firearms.
The exclusion of devices operating with '.22 caliber rimfire ammunition' from the definition of 'ammunition feeding device' in Section 2 might be controversial as it could create a loophole in firearm regulations, impacting legal interpretations and enforcement.
The complex conditional language in Section 2, including multiple numeric lists and subparagraphs, might confuse readers, leading to misinterpretations. This is politically and legally significant as it could affect enforcement consistency.
Section 2 lacks guidance on the criteria for identifying individuals under 21, which could result in inconsistent application and enforcement issues, impacting legal clarity and accountability.
The lack of a specific deadline for implementing improvements in the FBI's Public Access Line as discussed in Section 3 could lead to delays or indefinite postponement, affecting efficient information-sharing protocols, which is important from a legal and operational perspective.
The vague language surrounding the criteria for improvements in the FBI's Public Access Line in Section 3 could result in ambiguity and lack of accountability in enforcement, which is significant legally and operationally.
The absence of consequences or follow-up actions if recommendations in Section 3 are not implemented might weaken accountability and effectiveness, which is an ethical and operational concern.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act states that it can be officially called the "Raise the Age Act of 2025."
2. Prohibition on Federal firearms licensee selling or delivering certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles or semiautomatic centerfire shotguns to a person under 21 years of age, with exceptions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section prohibits federal firearms licensees from selling or delivering certain semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns to individuals under the age of 21, with some exceptions for qualified individuals like active-duty military members and certain government employees. It also defines terms like "qualified individual" and "ammunition feeding device" to clarify who is allowed to purchase these firearms and what types of devices are affected.
3. Operation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Access Line Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that within 90 days of the law's passage, the Director of the FBI must deliver a report to certain Senate and House committees. This report should outline current procedures for sharing information between the FBI's public access line and its field offices, along with suggestions for improvement.