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GOSAFE Act

USA119th CongressS-1370| Senate 
| Updated: 4/9/2025
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (18)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act," or GOSAFE Act, aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code by restricting the possession and transfer of specific firearms and ammunition feeding devices. It defines a semi-automatic firearm as one that fires a cartridge, uses energy to cycle the action, and requires a separate trigger pull for each shot, excluding machineguns. A firearm is considered gas-operated if it harnesses gas from a fired cartridge to cycle its action through various mechanisms like pistons, direct impingement, blowback, or recoil. The bill makes it unlawful to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, receive, or possess certain firearms and devices. This includes firearms on a prohibited list, modified firearms that operate as prohibited ones, parts designed to create prohibited firearms, and devices that materially increase a semi-automatic firearm's rate of fire or approximate a machinegun's action. Additionally, it prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or receipt of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (those holding more than 10 rounds, or 15 for handguns, and not .22 rimfire) and the possession of such devices manufactured after the bill's enactment. Exceptions to these prohibitions include transfers to or possession by the United States government, state or tribal entities, and licensees under the Atomic Energy Act for security purposes. Lawfully manufactured and transferred gas-operated semi-automatic firearms possessed before the enactment date are also exempt, with a limited transfer exception to immediate family members after a licensed dealer facilitates the transfer. All exempted firearms and devices must be marked as prescribed by the Attorney General. The Act mandates the Attorney General, through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to publish and update a list of prohibited gas-operated semi-automatic firearms. Manufacturers of new semi-automatic firearm designs must apply for approval, providing detailed specifications and a physical sample, with a review process and potential appeals. The bill establishes a Firearm Safety Trust Fund , funded by existing taxes and new application fees, to support the implementation of these provisions and the National Firearms Act. Violations carry penalties of fines, imprisonment, or both, with enhanced penalties if a prohibited firearm is used in another federal offense. The bill also allows Byrne grants to be used for buy-back programs for these restricted firearms and devices.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3369
GOSAFE Act
Apr 9, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2790
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3369
    GOSAFE Act


  • April 9, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2790
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2790: GOSAFE Act

GOSAFE Act

USA119th CongressS-1370| Senate 
| Updated: 4/9/2025
The "Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act," or GOSAFE Act, aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code by restricting the possession and transfer of specific firearms and ammunition feeding devices. It defines a semi-automatic firearm as one that fires a cartridge, uses energy to cycle the action, and requires a separate trigger pull for each shot, excluding machineguns. A firearm is considered gas-operated if it harnesses gas from a fired cartridge to cycle its action through various mechanisms like pistons, direct impingement, blowback, or recoil. The bill makes it unlawful to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, receive, or possess certain firearms and devices. This includes firearms on a prohibited list, modified firearms that operate as prohibited ones, parts designed to create prohibited firearms, and devices that materially increase a semi-automatic firearm's rate of fire or approximate a machinegun's action. Additionally, it prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or receipt of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (those holding more than 10 rounds, or 15 for handguns, and not .22 rimfire) and the possession of such devices manufactured after the bill's enactment. Exceptions to these prohibitions include transfers to or possession by the United States government, state or tribal entities, and licensees under the Atomic Energy Act for security purposes. Lawfully manufactured and transferred gas-operated semi-automatic firearms possessed before the enactment date are also exempt, with a limited transfer exception to immediate family members after a licensed dealer facilitates the transfer. All exempted firearms and devices must be marked as prescribed by the Attorney General. The Act mandates the Attorney General, through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to publish and update a list of prohibited gas-operated semi-automatic firearms. Manufacturers of new semi-automatic firearm designs must apply for approval, providing detailed specifications and a physical sample, with a review process and potential appeals. The bill establishes a Firearm Safety Trust Fund , funded by existing taxes and new application fees, to support the implementation of these provisions and the National Firearms Act. Violations carry penalties of fines, imprisonment, or both, with enhanced penalties if a prohibited firearm is used in another federal offense. The bill also allows Byrne grants to be used for buy-back programs for these restricted firearms and devices.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3369
GOSAFE Act
Apr 9, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2790
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3369
    GOSAFE Act


  • April 9, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2790
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (18)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2790: GOSAFE Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted