H.R. 7439: Uniform Standards for Federal Law Enforcement Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Uniform Standards for Federal Law Enforcement Act of 2026, aims to set specific limits on when federal law enforcement officers can use deadly force. Here are the key points of the legislation:

Limitation on Deadly Force

The bill states that federal law enforcement officers may only use deadly force when they have a reasonable belief that such action is necessary to prevent an imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to themselves or another person.

Clarifications on Use of Deadly Force

The legislation clarifies that deadly force should not be used:

• Solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect.
• Solely to disable a moving vehicle.
• Against individuals whose actions only threaten themselves or property.

Discharging Firearms at Moving Vehicles

Officers may not consider discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle as necessary unless:

• A person within the vehicle is threatening the officer or another person with deadly force through means other than the vehicle.
• The driver is acting in a way that threatens to cause death or serious physical injury, and there are no other reasonable means to respond, such as moving out of the vehicle's path.

Verbal Warnings

Officers are required to give a verbal warning to the individual they intend to use deadly force against, whenever practicable, and only if it would not increase the imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.

Prohibition on Warning Shots

The bill prohibits the discharge of firearms as warning shots by federal law enforcement officers, except within federal prisons.

Training Requirements

The Attorney General, in coordination with heads of other federal agencies employing law enforcement officers, is tasked with developing and providing training for officers on alternative methods and tactics for situations where the use of deadly force is forbidden under this bill.

Definition of Federal Law Enforcement Officer

The term "Federal law enforcement officer" is broadly defined to include federal law enforcement officers and immigration officers as recognized by existing laws.

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