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H.R. 2280 117th Congress House

Prevent Gun Trafficking Act

Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to combat straw purchases of firearms and deter firearms trafficking.

Introduced: March 29, 2021 Introduced by: Robin L. Kelly Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Criminal procedure and sentencingFirearms and explosivesRetail and wholesale tradesSmuggling and trafficking
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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
Oct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Mar 29, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 29, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 19, 2021

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prevent Gun Trafficking Act

This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for gun trafficking and related conduct.

First, the bill establishes a stand-alone federal criminal offense for gun trafficking. A violation is punishable by a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both. The bill also authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition involved in the offense, the property involved in the offense, and the proceeds (or property traceable to the proceeds) derived from the offense.

Second, the bill makes it unlawful to sell or dispose of a firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reason to believe that the person intends to sell or dispose of the firearm in violation of a federal law, or to sell or dispose of the firearm to a person in another state in violation of that state's law. A violation is subject to existing penalties under current law—a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both. Current law already authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of firearms and ammunition involved in the offense. This bill also authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of the property involved in the offense and the proceeds (or property traceable to the proceeds) derived from the offense.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2280: Prevent Gun Trafficking Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2280/
MLA
"H.R. 2280: Prevent Gun Trafficking Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2280/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2280, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2280/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2280: Prevent Gun Trafficking Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2280/)
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