Legislation6 days ago
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To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
S3508119th CongressWALLET
ARMAS Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced
Summary
Move regulatory control of specified munitions from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State. This bill would consolidate export authority for certain items listed on the United States Munitions List (USML) and the Commerce Control List (CCL) and add stricter licensing, tracking, and end‑use checks to stop U.S.-origin firearms from fueling violence in Mexico and parts of the Caribbean and Central America.
Show full summary
- Exporters and manufacturers would face new certification, registration, and end‑use monitoring rules for covered munitions, with the transfer to State required within one year and a one‑year national security waiver window for some transfers.
- U.S. agencies and law enforcement would need to share forensic and tracing data, use the INVEST database and eTrace tracing, and produce a joint report within 180 days plus an interagency strategy with performance measures and resource estimates.
- Designated partner countries and local investigators would be subject to enhanced forensic assessments, capacity building, and expanded tracing and reporting requirements, with annual export and license reports to Congress starting within one year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Designate covered countries list
If enacted, State would have to designate covered countries in the Americas within 180 days. The Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago would be treated as designated on enactment for five years. State could end a designation if it notifies certain congressional committees at least 180 days before the end date.
Stricter end‑use checks and rules
If enacted, State would not be allowed to transfer covered munitions to covered countries or their residents until it certifies a program is in place. The program would require serial number registration, origin and shipping records, and routine end-use monitoring. State would review INVEST vetting and could withhold consent for recipients credibly implicated in gross human-rights violations. Recertification would be required three years after the first certification and then annually, and transfers would be barred until recertified. A one-year national security waiver would be allowed with written justification to Congress.
Better forensic tracing and eTrace
If enacted, State and the ATF would expand forensic tracing and the ATF eTrace program in covered countries. Within 180 days after each country is designated, State would assess that country's ability to share forensic firearm data and report to congressional committees. ATF would make eTrace available in French and Haitian Creole and report within two years on traced firearms that led to federal investigations and prosecutions.
New reports and interagency strategy
If enacted, State, with Commerce, DOJ, ATF, DHS, and others, would report to Congress within 180 days on efforts to stop illegal exports and trafficking. Within one year, State and Commerce would deliver a joint interagency strategy with goals, timelines, performance measures, and resource estimates. The responsible Secretary or Secretaries would also provide an annual, country-by-country report on covered munitions exports, licenses, and end-use checks starting within one year.
Move export rules to State
If enacted, Commerce would have to transfer export control of certain munitions to the State Department within one year. After the transfer, Commerce would not be allowed to take back control. Commerce would also be barred from promoting those items before, on, or after the transfer. Exporters of affected items that were on the U.S. Munitions List on March 8, 2020 and now on the Commerce Control List would likely face new rules and compliance costs.
New pre‑grant license checks
If enacted, State would have to send Congress a written certification listing the applicant, recipient, country, item description, and value before approving licenses for certain previously covered items. For NATO allies and specified partners the certification would be due at least 15 days before grant; for other countries it would be due 30 days before grant. A proposed license would take effect after that waiting period unless Congress passes a joint resolution blocking it.
Add firearms indicators to CBI
If enacted, State would update the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative results framework to add specific indicators on firearms trafficking. This would aim to improve how the program measures and reports progress on firearms-related work.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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