Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-110

§933 Trafficking in Firearms

Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 44 — FIREARMS › § 933

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Makes it illegal for anyone to send, move, give, or otherwise get rid of a gun across state lines or in a way that affects interstate or international trade, if they know or reasonably believe the person getting the gun would use, carry, or possess it in a way that is a felony (as defined in section 932(a)). It also bans getting such a gun yourself, and trying or planning to do these acts. The penalty can be a fine, up to 15 years in prison, or both.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §933

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
It shall be unlawful for any person to—
(1)ship, transport, transfer, cause to be transported, or otherwise dispose of any firearm to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if such person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the use, carrying, or possession of a firearm by the recipient would constitute a felony (as defined in section 932(a));
(2)receive from another person any firearm in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if the recipient knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such receipt would constitute a felony; or
(3)attempt or conspire to commit the conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2).
(b)Penalty.—
Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Rule of

Construction

Nothing in section 12004(a)(1) of Pub. L. 117–159, which enacted this section, to be construed to allow the establishment of a Federal system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions, see section 12004(k) of Pub. L. 117–159, set out as a note under section 922 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 933

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110