Legis Daily

Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act

USA119th CongressS-2154| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act, mandates the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules within one year of enactment. These rules will prohibit manufacturers, dealers, importers, or their agents from marketing or advertising firearms and firearm-related products to individuals under 18 years of age. The prohibition specifically targets marketing that is designed, intended, or reasonably appears to be attractive to a minor. To determine if marketing is attractive to minors, the FTC must consider various factors. These include the use of cartoon characters, caricatures, or memes appealing to minors, or offering brand merchandise like toys or clothing that promotes firearms. The bill also targets products with features or designs specifically for minors, images of minors using firearms, or marketing primarily aimed at a minor audience. Additionally, offering firearms as gifts to minors or implying government endorsement through military contracts would be prohibited. The legislation establishes multiple avenues for enforcement. Violations of the FTC's rules will be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, allowing the FTC to enforce them. State Attorneys General are also empowered to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents to enjoin such practices, seek damages, or other relief, with provisions for notifying and allowing FTC intervention. Furthermore, the bill creates a private right of action , enabling individuals to sue for violations and seek compensatory or punitive damages, attorney's fees, and other appropriate relief.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-252
Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act
Jun 24, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-252
    Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act


  • June 24, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce

Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act

USA119th CongressS-2154| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
This bill, titled the Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act, mandates the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules within one year of enactment. These rules will prohibit manufacturers, dealers, importers, or their agents from marketing or advertising firearms and firearm-related products to individuals under 18 years of age. The prohibition specifically targets marketing that is designed, intended, or reasonably appears to be attractive to a minor. To determine if marketing is attractive to minors, the FTC must consider various factors. These include the use of cartoon characters, caricatures, or memes appealing to minors, or offering brand merchandise like toys or clothing that promotes firearms. The bill also targets products with features or designs specifically for minors, images of minors using firearms, or marketing primarily aimed at a minor audience. Additionally, offering firearms as gifts to minors or implying government endorsement through military contracts would be prohibited. The legislation establishes multiple avenues for enforcement. Violations of the FTC's rules will be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, allowing the FTC to enforce them. State Attorneys General are also empowered to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents to enjoin such practices, seek damages, or other relief, with provisions for notifying and allowing FTC intervention. Furthermore, the bill creates a private right of action , enabling individuals to sue for violations and seek compensatory or punitive damages, attorney's fees, and other appropriate relief.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-252
Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act
Jun 24, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-252
    Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act


  • June 24, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted