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HR 47 109th Congress House

Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2005

Official title: To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right.

Introduced: January 4, 2005 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityDamagesFamilies
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
FirearmsFirearms controlGovernment liabilityInjunctionsLawLegal feesLimitation of actions
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This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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
Mar 2, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 4, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 4, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 2, 2005

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2005 - 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.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 17
All 17 Democratic 1 Republican 10
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Jul 11, 2005
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Jul 11, 2005
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · May 23, 2005
PUTNAM, ADAM
· May 23, 2005
Shuster, Bill
· Apr 18, 2005
BROWN, HENRY
· Mar 7, 2005
 R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Mar 7, 2005
WAMP, ZACH
· Mar 7, 2005
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Feb 14, 2005
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Feb 8, 2005
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Feb 1, 2005
Barrett, J.
· Feb 1, 2005
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Feb 1, 2005
HASTINGS, DOC
· Feb 1, 2005
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Feb 1, 2005
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Feb 1, 2005
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Jan 20, 2005
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 47: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-47/
MLA
"H.R. 47: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-47/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 47, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-47/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 47: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-47/)
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