Shaheen & Group of Senators Introduce Legislation to Combat Increased Use of Dangerous Gun Conversion Devices
Press Release
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and a group of Senators led by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced legislation to combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices. The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act would help tackle the ongoing gun violence epidemic by requiring federal law enforcement to coordinate efforts to prevent the importation and trafficking of "auto-sears' - and other illegal gun modification devices that can convert semi-automatic weapons into fully-automatic weapons - and seize all profits that come from the illegal trafficking of these devices.
"No child should fear going to school. No worshipper should fear going to services. And no family should fear that trips to the movie theater or grocery store may be fatal. Tragically, that is the reality in America today and it has to change. This new legislation is one important and common-sense step we can take to meaningfully address the epidemic of gun violence by preventing dangerous individuals from manipulating and modifying firearms into weapons of war," said Shaheen. "I'm glad to help lead introduction of this bill and will reach across the aisle to find consensus on a proposal that balances the need for action to preserve our public safety, while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners."
The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2022 would:
Direct the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of the Treasury to develop a coordinated national strategy to prevent or intercept the importation and trafficking of automatic gun conversion devices;
Ensure that proceeds from the illegal trafficking of automatic gun devices are subject to forfeiture; and
Require that the Attorney General include data and information about illegal gun modification devices in the Justice Department's annual firearms trafficking report.
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