H.R. 3945: Firearm Destruction Licensure Act of 2025

The Firearm Destruction Licensure Act of 2025 aims to regulate the destruction of firearms by requiring individuals or entities engaging in this business to obtain a license from the Attorney General. Here are the main points of the bill:

License Requirement

Under this bill:

• Individuals or entities must have a license to destroy firearms.
• The term "firearm destroyer" is defined as anyone engaged in this business, excluding local law enforcement or government entities.
• A "covered method of firearm destruction" is specified, meaning the process must render the firearms inoperable and reduced to scrap.

Unlawful Acts

The bill makes it unlawful for anyone to destroy firearms without a license, modifying existing laws to include this requirement alongside the regulations for manufacturers and dealers.

Licensing Process

It outlines the licensing process, requiring applicants to demonstrate compliance with regulations about firearm destruction. Specifically, if a firearms dealer receives a firearm from a government entity for destruction, they must use an approved destruction method.

Reporting Requirements

Licensed dealers must report annually to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) the number of firearms destroyed, detailing how they acquired and disposed of these firearms. This includes:

• Firearms received for destruction.
• Firearms received from government agencies that were destroyed.
• A record of firearms that were not destroyed in compliance with the legislation, such as only partially destroyed pieces.

Grants for Destruction Services

The bill also proposes creating a grant program where the Attorney General can award funds to eligible state and local governments to pay licensed dealers for the destruction of firearms, encouraging proper disposal methods.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

There are penalties for licensed dealers who fail to comply with the requirements laid out in the bill. The Attorney General has the authority to revoke a dealer's license for willful violations.

Implementation Timeline

The act requires the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation within 180 days after its enactment, detailing acceptable destruction methods and necessary documentation for licensed dealers.

Effective Date

The changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is passed into law.

Relevant Companies

• RGR - Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.: As a firearm manufacturer, they may be affected by changes in regulations concerning destruction and waste management of firearms.
• SGR - Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.: This company may also face new operational protocols regarding how they handle firearms deemed for destruction.
• AXON - Axon Enterprise, Inc.: As a company providing law enforcement tools, they could be impacted by any adjustments in compliance and reporting for firearm destruction processes.