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HR 4296 103th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Ammunition Assault weapons Business records Commerce Congress Congressional reporting requirements Criminology Drug abuse Fines (Penalties) Firearms Firearms control Foreign Trade and International Finance Government Operations and Politics Government paperwork Identification devices Import restrictions Law enforcement officers Narcotic traffic Violence

Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act

Introduced: April 25, 1994 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 26 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 16, 1994
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 426.
May 10, 1994
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
May 5, 1994
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 5, 1994
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 214 (Roll no. 156).
May 5, 1994
On motion to recommit Failed by voice vote. (consideration: CR H3115)
May 5, 1994
Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to recommit to Judiciary.
May 5, 1994
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
May 5, 1994
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
May 5, 1994
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4296.
May 5, 1994
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with two hours of general debate.
May 5, 1994
The Speaker designated the Honorable Harold L. Volkmer to act as Chairman of the Committee for the first hour of general debate and the Honorable Kweisi Mfume for the second hour of general debate.
May 5, 1994
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 416 and Rule XXIII.
May 5, 1994
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4296 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Providing for the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole, and waiving all points of order against consideration of the bill. Bill is closed to amendments. It shall be in order to consider the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. All points of order against the committee amendment shall be waived. No amendment to the committee amendment and no other amendment shall be in order.
May 5, 1994
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 416. (consideration: CR H3075-3116)
May 5, 1994
Rule H. Res. 416 passed House.
May 4, 1994
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 416 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4296 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Providing for the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole, and waiving all points of order against consideration of the bill. Bill is closed to amendments. It shall be in order to consider the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. All points of order against the committee amendment shall be waived. No amendment to the committee amendment and no other amendment shall be in order.
May 2, 1994
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 273.
May 2, 1994
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-489.
Apr 28, 1994
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Apr 28, 1994
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 26, 1994
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Apr 26, 1994
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 25, 1994
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Apr 25, 1994
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Apr 25, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 25, 1994
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 5, 1994 House · vote #156 On Passage Passed 216–214 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 533 — The amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as an original text pursuant to H. Res. 416. Agreed to May 5, 1994
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) as defined or listed under this Act. Sets penalties for violations and for use or possession of such a weapon during a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Requires the serial number of any such weapon manufactured after enactment of this Act to clearly show the date on which the weapon was manufactured.

Makes such provisions inapplicable to: (1) the transfer or possession of any SAW lawfully possessed on the date of this Act's enactment; (2) certain hunting and sporting firearms; (3) the United States or a department or agency of the United States, or a State or department, agency, or political subdivision of a State; (4) the transfer of a SAW by a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer to a government entity or to a law enforcement officer authorized to purchase firearms for official use; (5) the possession, by an individual who is retired from service with a law enforcement agency and who is not otherwise prohibited from receiving a firearm, of a SAW transferred to the individual by the agency upon such retirement; and (6) the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm by a licensed manufacturer or importer for purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Prohibits the sale, shipment, or delivery of a SAW to, or the receipt of a SAW by, a person who has not completed a form 4473 (prescribed by the Secretary) in connection with the transfer of the SAW. Specifies that, if a person receives a SAW from anyone other than a licensed dealer, both the person and the transferor shall retain a copy of the form. Sets penalties for violations.

Prohibits the transfer or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, with exceptions. Treats such devices as firearms. Sets penalties for violations. Requires any such device manufactured after the date of this Act's enactment to be identified by a serial number that clearly shows that the device was manufactured or imported after the effective date of this Act.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) investigate and study the effect of this Act and determine its impact, if any, on violent and drug trafficking crime; and (2) report to the Congress.

Itemizes firearms under various categories as an appendix to Federal firearms provisions.

What's happening now May 16, 1994

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 426.

 Related & companion bills 8
  • HR 3527 Identical bill Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act
  • HR 893 Procedurally related To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the possession or transfer of assault weapons.
  • HR 1421 Procedurally related Assault Weapon Act of 1993
  • HR 1472 Procedurally related Assault Weapons Limitation Act of 1993
  • HR 1571 Procedurally related Restricted Weapons Act of 1993
  • HR 1706 Procedurally related Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993
  • HR 3184 Procedurally related Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993
  • HRES 416 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4296) to make unlawful the transfer or possession of assault weapons.
 Bill text 5 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 6
D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · May 2, 1994
CASTLE, MICHAEL
· Apr 25, 1994
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Apr 25, 1994
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Apr 25, 1994
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Apr 25, 1994
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Apr 25, 1994
 D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Apr 25, 1994
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4296: Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4296/
MLA
"H.R. 4296: Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4296/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4296, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4296/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4296: Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4296/)
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