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.
If enacted, HB151 would significantly reshape how state and local governments manage firearm regulation, particularly concerning short-barreled shotguns. The legislation includes a preemption clause that would nullify existing state laws imposing taxes or additional recordkeeping requirements on the sale or ownership of these weapons. This change raises concerns about the erosion of localized regulatory authority, as it centralizes the control of these firearms under federal guidelines, reducing the capacity for states to set their own regulations based on community standards or safety concerns.
House Bill 151, titled the 'No Frivolous Application for Short-Barreled Shotguns Act' (or ‘NFA SBS Act’), seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code to fundamentally change the classification of short-barreled shotguns. This bill proposes the removal of several provisions defining these firearms as restricted under the National Firearms Act, thereby enabling their sale and transportation across state lines without the existing regulatory burdens. With this amendment, individuals obtaining these shotguns would automatically satisfy registration or licensing mandates currently imposed by federal law concerning such firearms.
The bill has generated notable contention among lawmakers, particularly regarding public safety and regulatory authority. Proponents argue that the legislation promotes a more rational and equitable treatment of firearms, lessening unnecessary restrictions on law-abiding citizens. Opponents, however, express concerns that removing such regulatory barriers could facilitate access to firearms for individuals who may pose a risk to public safety. The debate surrounding HB151 underscores broader national tensions over gun control and the balance between individual rights and community safeguards.