GOSAFE Act

Key Points

• The bill bans the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, receipt, and possession of most gas-operated semi-automatic firearms. This covers guns that use gas from a fired cartridge to automatically load the next round, including long-stroke piston, short-stroke piston, direct impingement, blowback, and recoil-operated systems.
• The bill also bans magazines and similar feeding devices that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, with an exception for devices designed only for .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. Existing large capacity magazines cannot be transferred after enactment.
• People who already own these firearms before the law takes effect can keep them, but they can only transfer them to immediate family members and only after a background check through a licensed dealer.
• The ATF must publish a list of banned firearms within 180 days, and all new semi-automatic firearm designs must get government approval before being manufactured for civilian sale. A Firearm Safety Trust Fund is created to fund enforcement.
• Federal grant money (Byrne grants) can be used by states and localities to run buy-back programs where people turn in banned firearms or large capacity magazines for compensation.
• Violations carry a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 12 months in prison. Using a banned firearm while committing another federal crime carries 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine on top of the other sentence.