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HR 2789 108th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Civil actions and liability Damages Families Firearms Firearms control Government liability Injunctions Law Legal fees Limitation of actions

Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003

Introduced: July 17, 2003 Introduced by: Wilson, Joe Republican · South Carolina See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 4, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jul 17, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 17, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003 - Declares that a person not prohibited under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act from receiving a firearm shall have the right to obtain firearms for security and to use firearms in defense of: (1) self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person.

Authorizes persons whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of attorney's fees; and (2) the statute of limitations.

What's happening now September 4, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 648 Identical bill Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2789: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2789/
MLA
"H.R. 2789: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2789/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2789, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2789/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2789: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2789/)
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