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50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Reduction Act

Introduced: February 8, 2005 See on congress.gov
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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.
Feb 8, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 8, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Reduction Act - Amends the National Firearms Act to include a 50 caliber sniper weapon (defined as a rifle capable of firing a center-fire 50 caliber cartridge) within the definition of a "firearm" regulated under that Act.

Modifies the definition of "rifle" under the Act to include a weapon intended to be fired from a bipod or other support.

Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the transfer or possession of a 50 caliber sniper weapon, with exceptions involving: (1) the transfer to or possession by the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof; and (2) otherwise lawful possession of a weapon that was lawfully possessed before the date this provision takes effect. Includes 50 caliber sniper weapons within the scope of penalties under that Act for which an individual may be fined, imprisoned for up to ten years, or both.

What's happening now March 2, 2005

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

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 935 Related bill Fifty Caliber Sniper Weapons Regulation Act of 2005
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 7
D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Oct 26, 2005
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · May 4, 2005
 D
McCollum, Betty
Minnesota · Apr 6, 2005
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Feb 8, 2005
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Feb 8, 2005
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Feb 8, 2005
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Feb 8, 2005
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 654: 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Reduction Act. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-654/
MLA
"H.R. 654: 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Reduction Act." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-654/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 654, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-654/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 654: 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Reduction Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-654/)
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