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HR 2959 116th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative law and regulatory procedures Criminal justice information and records Criminal procedure and sentencing Firearms and explosives Law enforcement administration and funding Licensing and registrations Retail and wholesale trades Trade restrictions

Freedom from Assault Weapons Act

Introduced: May 23, 2019 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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
Jun 26, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
May 23, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 23, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Freedom from Assault Weapons Act

This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD).

The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; or (4) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model.

The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD

  • importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments;
  • importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and
  • possession by a retired law enforcement officer.

Further, the bill exempts from the prohibition the possession or storage of a SAW at a shooting range, shooting gallery, or hunting club.

Finally, the bill requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to operate a buy-back program to purchase and destroy SAWs and LCAFDs.

What's happening now June 26, 2019

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

 Related & companion bills 4
  • S 3254 Related bill Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
  • HR 5717 Related bill Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
  • HR 1296 Related bill Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
  • S 66 Related bill Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Sep 10, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2959: Freedom from Assault Weapons Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2959/
MLA
"H.R. 2959: Freedom from Assault Weapons Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2959/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2959, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2959/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2959: Freedom from Assault Weapons Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2959/)
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