AMMO Act
Sponsored By: Representative Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
Introduced
Summary
Extends federal licensing and background checks to ammunition. The bill would bring ammunition sales and transfers closer to how firearms are regulated by requiring licenses, records, limits on bulk sales, and stronger transfer checks while boosting data and enforcement capacity.
Show full summary
- Dealers and licensees: Would require a Federal license to deal in ammunition, expand recordkeeping and signage, and impose civil and criminal penalties for violations. It would take effect 120 days after enactment.
- Buyers and private transfers: Would require pretransfer background checks for ammunition transfers by certain licensed importers, manufacturers, or dealers to nonlicensees, ban straw purchases, and restrict bulk sales with ID and certification rules.
- Enforcement and data: Would authorize up to $150 million to upgrade the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to publish biannual and annual reports with geographic and demographic ammunition violation data.
*This bill would increase federal spending by authorizing up to $150 million for NICS upgrades and would add enforcement and reporting costs.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
More funding to upgrade NICS
The bill would authorize up to $150 million to upgrade and maintain the national background check system (NICS). This is an authorization, not automatic funding. The authorization would begin 120 days after enactment.
Public ammo reports and no registry
ATF would publish a public report within 6 months after the law’s effective date and then every year. Reports would show where violations happened, total sales data, crime data, repeat offenders, and caliber types. The bill also says it could not be used to create a national firearms or ammunition registry, and States keep their own powers. The effective date would be 120 days after enactment.
Ammo buyers face checks and limits
Licensed sellers would have to check NICS before transferring ammunition to people without a license. Buyers under 21 would face an extra check. A State permit issued within 5 years could substitute. You could not buy more than 1,000 rounds of most ammo, or more than 100 rounds of .50 caliber, in any 5 days. Buyers would sign a written certification and show a government photo ID. Sellers would send the form to the Attorney General within 30 days, keep it 2 years, and post signs. The Attorney General would destroy sent forms within 60 days unless needed for an active case. Penalties could include fines up to $250,000 and up to $10,000 per missing sign. These rules would start 120 days after enactment.
Federal licenses for ammunition sellers
Ammunition businesses would need a federal license, similar to gun dealers. Licensees would have to keep required records. The bill also updates license fee wording to clearly cover ammunition dealers. These rules would start 120 days after enactment and would add paperwork and compliance costs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
OH • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov