H.R. 4991: Disarming Felons Act

This bill, titled the Disarming Felons Act, proposes new restrictions regarding firearm possession and transfer for certain individuals. Specifically, it aims to prohibit adults who committed serious offenses as juveniles from possessing or receiving firearms. Here are the key components of the bill:

Eligibility for Prohibition

Under the proposed legislation, an adult will be prohibited from acquiring or possessing a firearm if they:

• Were between the ages of 15 and 18 years when they committed an offense that would have been classified as a felony had it been committed by an adult.

Amendments to Existing Laws

The bill seeks to amend specific sections of Title 18 of the United States Code:

• Section 922(d): This section will be updated to prevent the transfer of firearms to individuals who committed serious juvenile offenses.
• Section 922(g): This section will be amended to include restrictions on the possession of firearms by individuals who committed serious juvenile offenses.

Definitions

The bill defines an act of juvenile delinquency as an offense that would be charged as a felony if the individual were an adult. This underscores that the specific focus is on serious criminal behavior, not minor infractions.

Intent of the Legislation

The purpose of this legislation is to create additional barriers to firearm access for individuals with a juvenile history of serious crimes, reflecting concerns about public safety and the potential risks associated with gun possession among certain populations.

Implementation and Enforcement

The enforcement mechanisms for this bill would likely involve law enforcement agencies checking backgrounds of individuals seeking to purchase firearms to ensure compliance with these new regulations, particularly focused on their juvenile records.

Relevant Companies

None found.