S. 1531: Assault Weapons Ban of 2025
A Senate bill (S.) in the 119th U.S. Congress.
Overview
| Congress | 119th U.S. Congress (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Type | Senate bill (S.) |
| Originating chamber | Senate |
| Introduced | 2025-04-30 |
| Sponsor | Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] |
| Policy area | Crime and Law Enforcement |
| Cosponsors | 20 |
| Latest action | 2025-04-30 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. |
| Last updated | 2026-02-23 |
Summary
Official summary (Introduced in Senate, 2025-04-30):
Assault Weapons Ban of 2025
This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD).
The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model.
The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD:
- importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments;
- importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and
- possession by a retired law enforcement officer.
The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties.
The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD.
Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture.
The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.
Cosponsors (20)
| Name | Party / state |
|---|---|
| Christopher Murphy | D CT (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Richard Blumenthal | D CT (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Alex Padilla | D CA (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Angela D. Alsobrooks | D MD (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Tammy Baldwin | D WI (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Michael F. Bennet | D CO (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Lisa Blunt Rochester | D DE (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Cory A. Booker | D NJ (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Maria Cantwell | D WA (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Christopher A. Coons | D DE (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Tammy Duckworth | D IL (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Richard J. Durbin | D IL (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| John Fetterman | D PA (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Ruben Gallego | D AZ (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Kirsten E. Gillibrand | D NY (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Margaret Wood Hassan | D NH (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| John W. Hickenlooper | D CO (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Mazie K. Hirono | D HI (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Tim Kaine | D VA (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
| Andy Kim | D NJ (original cosponsor) 2025-04-30 |
Full text & official record
The official bill text, section-by-section summary, amendments, committee reports, and the complete legislative timeline for S. 1531 are published by Congress on congress.gov.
View S. 1531 on congress.gov →
Frequently asked questions
What is S. 1531?
S. 1531 is a Senate bill (S.) introduced in the 119th U.S. Congress, originating in the Senate. Official title: Assault Weapons Ban of 2025.
Where can I read the full bill text?
The full text, cosponsors, amendments, and legislative status for S. 1531 are available on congress.gov.
Bill data: congress.gov API (official congressional records).