Bill · S. 1652· Senate(119-S-1652)
Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/7/2025
- Last activity
- 5/7/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Grassley
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to address gun violence by updating background check systems and providing clearer rules on mental health records. It increases penalties for illegal gun purchases and lying on background check forms. The legislation sets up new task forces to crack down on felons, fugitives, and illegal firearms trafficking in specific areas. It also requires federal agencies to report on ammunition purchases and mass shooting causes. Finally, the bill modernizes firearm commerce rules and protects the right to transport unloaded firearms across state lines.
Yes· 3 of 16
Does this protect the right to own guns?+7
Provides federal protections for the lawful interstate transportation of firearms.
Would gun owners be better off under this?+6
Provides protections for interstate transport and clarifies mental health exclusions.
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?+6
Strengthens NICS record availability and increases prosecution of illegal firearm sales.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-5
Penalizes states by withholding JAG funds for non-compliance with federal record requests.
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?-4
Increases maximum penalties for certain firearm-related crimes.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Better Background Check System Support: The bill provides $20,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This funding helps ensure that records are kept up to date and background checks work efficiently. (Section 3)
-
Clearer Mental Health Definitions: The legislation establishes clear guidelines for what legally constitutes being adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a psychiatric hospital. This ensures individuals are only restricted from purchasing firearms through a formal judicial process with proper notice and counsel. (Section 5)
-
Protection for Interstate Travelers: Law-abiding citizens who are legally allowed to own firearms are given clear federal protections to transport unloaded and securely stored firearms and ammunition across state lines, overriding conflicting state and local laws. It also protects travelers from improper arrest and provides for attorney's fees if a traveler successfully uses this defense in court. (Section 17)
-
Targeting Violent Crime and Trafficking: The bill establishes task forces and regional programs to investigate and prosecute straw purchasing rings, felons, and fugitives who try to buy guns illegally. This helps direct law enforcement resources toward violent offenders and gun traffickers. (Sections 8, 9, and 19)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduction in State Grant Funding: States that fail to provide at least 90 percent of required mental health records to the background check system—or fail to implement a proper relief from disabilities program—will face a 5 percent reduction in their Byrne JAG grant funding, increasing to a 10 percent reduction after five years. This could reduce funding for local law enforcement and community safety programs in non-compliant states. (Section 15)
-
Stricter Penalties for Form Errors: The bill increases the maximum prison sentence from 5 years to 10 years for making false statements on certain firearm purchase records and background check forms. This could lead to significantly harsher prison time for individuals who make mistakes or misrepresentations on paperwork. (Section 11)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Gun Owners+6Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For People With Disabilities+3Good For Veterans+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Second Amendment Protections+7Improves Gun Control Measures+6Improves Disability Rights+2Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Due Process+4Improves Government Transparency+3Improves Interstate Commerce+2Increase States Rights-5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- 5/7/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas