Ammunition Safety Act of 1997
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (10 Apr 1997): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
What this bill does
S. 553, the Ammunition Safety Act of 1997, would amend federal firearms law to bring ammunition under many of the same rules that currently apply to firearms. It would require anyone dealing in ammunition to obtain a federal license (with a $10 annual fee), extend existing prohibitions on illegal firearm transfers, sales, and possession to also cover ammunition, and apply Brady Act background-check requirements to ammunition transfers. It would also increase certain federal penalties for related firearms offenses and impose doubled penalties on adults who violate firearm-possession prohibitions. Separately, it would direct the Treasury Secretary to develop performance-based testing standards to identify "armor piercing" handgun ammunition based on its ability to penetrate armor, and would ban manufacturing, importing, possessing, or using ammunition that meets or exceeds that armor-piercing threshold, with Congress retaining authority to exempt sporting ammunition.
The bill would primarily affect ammunition manufacturers, importers, and dealers, who would face new licensing, fees, and testing requirements, as well as individuals purchasing or possessing ammunition, who would become subject to background checks and expanded prohibitions.
The bill was introduced by Senator John Kerry on April 10, 1997, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a committee vote or further action and did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Ammunition Safety Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to include persons selling ammunition within the definition of "dealer" for purposes of Federal firearms laws. Subjects dealers in ammunition to licensing requirements applicable to firearms dealers. Sets a $10 per year license fee for dealers in ammunition other than ammunition for destructive devices. Applies to ammunition specified prohibitions currently applicable to importing, manufacturing, dealing in, transporting, or receiving firearms without a license. Increases penalties for specified violations of Federal firearms provisions. Subjects any person at least 18 years of age who violates provisions regarding shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition by specified categories of persons (such as fugitives and illegal aliens) to twice the maximum punishment authorized and at least twice any term of supervised release, except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided. Makes specified provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act applicable to the transfer of ammunition. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) to establish uniform standards for testing and rating the destructive capacity of projectiles capable of being used in handguns; (2) utilizing such standards, to establish performance-based standards to define the rating of "armor piercing ammunition" based on the rating at which the projectiles pierce armor; and (3) at the expense of the ammunition manufacturer seeking to sell a particular type of ammunition, to test and rate the destructive capacity of the ammunition utilizing such standards. Defines "armor piercing ammunition" to include any projectile determined to have a destructive capacity rating higher than the threshold established, in addition to the composition-based determination. Authorizes the Congress to exempt specific ammunition designed for sporting purposes from such definition. Prohibits the possession or use of armor piercing ammunition, with exceptions. Permits the manufacture, importation, or use of any projectile that has been proven, by testing performed at the expense of the manufacturer, to have a lower rating threshold than armor piercing ammunition.
Timeline
10 Apr 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 553 do?
- S. 553, the Ammunition Safety Act of 1997, would amend federal firearms law to bring ammunition under many of the same rules that currently apply to firearms. It would require anyone dealing in ammunition to obtain a federal license (with a $10 annual fee), extend existing prohibitions on illegal firearm transfers, sales, and possession to also cover ammunition, and apply Brady Act background-check requirements to ammunition transfers. It would also increase certain federal penalties for related firearms offenses and impose doubled penalties on adults who violate firearm-possession prohibitions. Separately, it would direct the Treasury Secretary to develop performance-based testing standards to identify "armor piercing" handgun ammunition based on its ability to penetrate armor, and would ban manufacturing, importing, possessing, or using ammunition that meets or exceeds that armor-piercing threshold, with Congress retaining authority to exempt sporting ammunition. The bill would primarily affect ammunition manufacturers, importers, and dealers, who would face new licensing, fees, and testing requirements, as well as individuals purchasing or possessing ammunition, who would become subject to background checks and expanded prohibitions. The bill was introduced by Senator John Kerry on April 10, 1997, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not receive a committee vote or further action and did not become law.
- Has S. 553 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 553. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 553?
- S. 553 was sponsored by Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] (D-MA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 553?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. (10 Apr 1997).
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