Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act

Key Points

• This bill updates a 1988 law to ensure that modern firearms, like those made with 3D printers, can’t sneak through security. It requires every gun to have a major component—like the frame or barrel—that shows up clearly on airport X-ray machines and metal detectors.
• To make the rules clearer, the bill defines "detectable" as having the same magnetic strength as 3.7 ounces of stainless steel. This prevents people from making plastic guns that are invisible to standard security equipment used at airports and government buildings.
• The new rules would also apply to prototypes, which are early test versions of guns. This ensures that designers cannot claim a plastic gun is just a test model to avoid following the law.
• Guns made specifically for the U.S. military or federal law enforcement are exempt from these rules. This allows the government to continue using specialized equipment for national security purposes.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.