Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB381

Introduced
1/17/23  

Caption

Protecting Individual Sovereignty Through Our Laws Act or the PISTOL Act This bill modifies the definition of rifle for purposes of the National Firearms Act to exclude from such definition a pistol equipped with a rear brace or rear attachment designed to assist the shooter in controlling the pistol. The bill also directs the Department of Justice to amend applicable regulations governing pistols to provide that the presence or absence of rear mounted braces or attachments that can assist a user in controlling the pistol shall not cause a firearm to be considered a pistol.

Impact

If enacted, the modifications proposed in HB 381 would reshape firearm classification by emphasizing user control mechanisms in defining what constitutes a rifle versus a pistol. The bill directs the Department of Justice to revise existing regulations to ensure that the presence of rear-mounted braces or attachments does not alter the classification of a firearm, thereby potentially impacting both gun manufacturers and consumers. This aligns with a broader movement to preserve individual rights regarding gun ownership and use across the United States.

Summary

House Bill 381, known as the Protecting Individual Sovereignty Through Our Laws Act, aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code to update the definition of rifles and pistols under the National Firearms Act. The bill specifically seeks to exclude pistols that are equipped with rear braces or attachments intended to assist the user in controlling the firearm from being classified as rifles. This change is significant as it clarifies the definition and potentially affects how certain firearms are regulated under federal law.

Contention

The bill has sparked notable points of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that it strengthens individual rights under the Second Amendment by preventing overreach in firearm classifications that could limit ownership options for responsible gun owners. Conversely, opponents raise concerns that such amendments could erode critical safety regulations designed to manage firearm accessibility and usage, thereby contributing to public safety issues. The implications of this bill are expected to ignite robust debate regarding gun control and regulatory frameworks at both state and federal levels.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB361

Pistol Brace Protection Act

US HB173

Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2023 This bill removes short-barreled rifles (barrels of less than 16 inches in length) from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the transportation of such rifles in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled rifle as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such rifle where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled rifles. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of  certain rifles within one year after the enactment of this bill.

US HB152

Hearing Protection Act This bill removes silencers from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also treats persons acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of such Act. The Department of Justice must destroy certain records relating to the registration, transfer, or making of a silencer. The bill also revises the definitions of firearm silencer and firearm muffler under the federal criminal code and includes such items in the 10% excise tax category.

US HB385

No User Fees for Gun Owners Act This bill prohibits a state or local government from imposing any insurance requirement, tax, user fee, or similar charge as a condition of the manufacture importation, acquisition, transfer, or continued ownership of a firearm or ammunition, with the exception of a proportionate sales tax. The bill imposes the same prohibition under the Internal Revenue Code for firearms, pistols, or revolvers, but allows for the assessment of a proportionate sales tax.

US SB827

A bill to provide that no Federal funds may be used to implement, administer, or enforce the rule of the Department of Justice entitled "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".

US AB1127

Firearms: converter pistols.

US HB396

Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2023 This bill subjects bump stocks to regulation under federal firearms laws. Specifically, the bill adds bump stocks to the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., registration and licensing requirements) under the National Firearms Act. Additionally, it includes bump stocks in the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., background check requirements) under the Gun Control Act of 1968.

US HB151

No Frivolous Application for Short-Barreled Shotguns Act or the NFA SBS Act This bill removes certain short-barreled shotguns from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the sale or transportation of such shotguns in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled shotgun as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such shotguns where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled shotguns. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of shotguns described by this bill within one year after the enactment of this bill.

US HB393

Modern GI Bill Act This bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2024 and the following years.

US HB363

Second Amendment Protection Act This bill exempts certain individuals who use medical marijuana from federal firearms-related restrictions. Currently, federal firearms laws prohibit an individual who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition. This bill exempts from the prohibition an individual who uses marijuana for a medical purpose in accordance with state law.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.