Federal

Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023

Source: Congress.gov · 374 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill increases criminal penalties for stealing firearms from licensed gun dealers. It modifies federal law to make the crime more serious, especially when the theft happens during a burglary or robbery.

Who It Affects

People who steal firearms from licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, or licensed dealers. Federal courts that handle these cases.

Key Provisions

• A person who knowingly violates the firearm theft law or attempts to do so can be fined, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both (Sec. 2) • If the firearm theft happens during a burglary, the person must serve at least 3 years in prison (Sec. 2) • If the firearm theft happens during a robbery, the person must serve at least 5 years in prison (Sec. 2) • The bill defines "burglary" as unlawfully entering or staying in a licensed gun dealer's business with the intent to commit a crime (Sec. 2)

What Changes

Federal law will now specify minimum prison sentences for firearm thefts that occur during burglaries (3 years minimum) or robberies (5 years minimum). Previously, the bill text does not explain what the law stated.

Important Definitions

Burglary: unlawfully entering or remaining in a licensed gun dealer's business with intent to commit a crime. Robbery: has the meaning given in section 1951(b) of federal law.

Effective Date

Not specified in bill text

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2620 To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 13, 2023 Mr. RUTHERFORD (for himself and Mr. CUELLAR) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Firearms Li- 4 censee Protection Act of 2023’’. 5 SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO ENHANCE CERTAIN PENALTIES. 6 Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is 7 amended— 8 (1) by striking subsection (i) and inserting the 9 following: 10 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:40 Apr 18, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2620.IH H2620 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 2620 IH ‘‘(i)(1)(A) A person who knowingly violates section 1 922(u), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this 2 title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. 3 ‘‘(B) In the case of a violation described in subpara- 4 graph (A) that occurs during the commission of— 5 ‘‘(i) a burglary, the term of imprisonment shall 6 be not less than 3 years; or 7 ‘‘(ii) a robbery, the term of imprisonment shall 8 be not less than 5 years. 9 ‘‘(2) In this subsection— 10 ‘‘(A) the term ‘burglary’ means the unlawful 11 entry into, or remaining in, the business premises of 12 a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or li- 13 censed dealer with the intent to commit a crime; and 14 ‘‘(B) the term ‘robbery’ has the meaning given 15 the term in section 1951(b).’’; and 16 (2) in subsection (m), by inserting ‘‘, or at- 17 tempts to do so,’’ after ‘‘or licensed collector’’. 18 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:40 Apr 18, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H2620.IH H2620 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.