If enacted, SB1460 would have significant implications for firearm manufacturers and retailers. It would enable the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create and enforce safety regulations geared toward firearms, which could include standards on design, labeling, and safety features. This shift in legislation signifies a move towards greater accountability for firearm safety, which some lawmakers and advocates argue is essential for public safety, especially in light of increasing concerns about gun-related injuries and fatalities.
Summary
SB1460, known as the Firearm Safety Act of 2023, seeks to amend the Consumer Product Safety Act by removing the exclusion of firearms, including pistols and revolvers, from the definition of consumer products. This change would empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish and enforce safety standards applicable to these firearms, which have previously been exempt from such regulations. The intent behind the bill is to enhance safety measures surrounding the manufacturing and distribution of firearms, aiming to reduce risks associated with their use.
Contention
Notably, the bill has sparked debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters hail it as a necessary step for protecting consumers and preventing accidents related to firearms, arguing that incorporating firearms into the consumer product safety framework will ensure that these products meet appropriate safety standards. Conversely, opponents argue that the bill may infringe on Second Amendment rights and could lead to undue restrictions on lawful firearm ownership and use. This tension highlights the complex relationship between gun rights, consumer safety, and public policy.
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.