H.R. 8059: Unserialized Firearm Harm Oversight and Serialization Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Unserialized Firearm Harm Oversight and Serialization Act of 2026, introduces several key measures regarding the regulation and serialization of firearms, particularly those produced through modern manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing (3D printing) and the handling of unserialized firearms by licensed dealers. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

1. Clarifying Firearm Definitions

The bill amends existing definitions in U.S. law to clarify that certain firearm assembly kits and parts intended to make firearms are considered firearms themselves. This ensures that these items are subject to the same regulations as fully assembled firearms.

2. Serialization Requirements

The legislation mandates that firearms produced through additive manufacturing or any non-traditional methods must have serial numbers. Specifically:

• Licensed manufacturers must engrave or cast a serial number on firearms' frames or receivers before selling them.
• These serialized firearms must be identified in accordance with updated definitions of additive manufacturing.

3. Penalties for Non-compliance

For those who fail to comply with serialization requirements:

• A civil penalty of up to $10,000 will apply for a first offense.
• Repeat offenders could face criminal penalties, including fines up to $100,000 and a minimum of 1 year in prison.

4. Serialization of Unserialized Firearms

The bill requires licensed firearms dealers who possess unserialized firearms to:

• Engrave or cast serial numbers on these firearms.
• Transmit a record of these actions to the Attorney General, maintaining a copy for their records.

Furthermore, the serial number information can only be used by the Attorney General for active criminal investigations.

5. Financial Incentives for Compliance

To assist firearm dealers in meeting the serialization requirements, the bill introduces a tax credit, known as the firearm dealer serialization credit. This includes:

• Reimbursement for costs related to the purchase or lease of equipment for engraving firearms.
• A specified tax credit based on the expenditures for compliance, capped at certain limits for different types of costs, and subject to conditions to prevent double benefits.

6. Interaction with State Law

The bill clarifies that nothing in this Act shall supersede state laws, meaning state regulations will continue to coexist alongside federal laws enacted by this bill.

7. Effective Dates

The provisions of the bill will take effect 180 days post-enactment, allowing time for affected entities to prepare for compliance.

Relevant Companies

• THRY - A company involved in firearm production, which may need to adapt its manufacturing processes to comply with serialization requirements.
• RGR - A firearm manufacturer that will likely need to implement new systems for engraving serial numbers on products created through additive manufacturing.
• OWL - This company, which provides technology for firearm manufacturing, could see a rise in demand for its products as manufacturers may need new equipment for serialization.