Early access: 15,549 bills from the current Congress so far, more added daily. Data from Congress.gov, GovInfo and the House and Senate vote records, updated Oct 13, 2026.
Public Law TrackerPLTPublic Law Tracker

S. 1531 · Where this bill is now

In committee

Introduced in the Senate, Apr 30, 2025

What this bill does

In plain words · AI-written from the official summary

Makes it illegal to import semiautomatic assault weapons

This bill would make it a federal crime to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (magazines that hold many rounds). Some firearms are excepted, like bolt-action rifles and antique guns. Law enforcement, some military purposes, and retired police officers would be allowed to possess them. People who already own these weapons before the law takes effect could keep them, but they'd need to store them securely and couldn't sell or transfer them (except SAWs could be sold with background checks). Newly made assault weapons and high-capacity magazines would have to be labeled with serial numbers and manufacturing dates.

How it affects you

If you own a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity magazine now, you could keep it but would need to store it securely and generally wouldn't be able to sell it. If you tried to buy, sell, or manufacture these weapons after the law took effect, you could face federal criminal charges. Gun dealers selling grandfathered assault weapons would need to conduct background checks. States and cities could use certain grant money to help people turn in these weapons voluntarily through buy-back programs.

Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 30, 2025)

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025

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, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) 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.

The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties.

The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD.

Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture.

The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.

Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.

119th Congress
1st SessionS. 1531

A BILL

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025

In the SenateNo vote yet

Sponsor: Sen. Adam B. Schiff (D-CA) · Introduced Apr 30, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text

Read the full billOfficial record on Congress.gov ↗

Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 30, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”

Sections

Sections · 7