H.R. 5398 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5398 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 22, 2018 Mr. Deutch (for himself, Mr. Thomas J. Rooney of Florida, Mr. Crist, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mr. King of New York, and Ms. Jayapal) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the age at which a rifle or shotgun may be acquired from a federally licensed firearms dealer, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the 21 to Buy Act. 2. Increase in age at which a rifle or shotgun may be acquired from a federally licensed firearms dealer (a) In general Section 922(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe has not attained 21 years of age, unless the individual is— (A) a law enforcement officer; (B) a correctional officer; (C) on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, or full-time duty in the National Guard; or (D) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard who possesses or is armed with a firearm in the line of duty; . (b) Conforming amendment Section 922(c)(1) of such title is amended by striking , or that, in the case of a shotgun or a rifle, I am eighteen years or more of age and inserting or am a law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or full-time duty in the National Guard, or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard who possesses or is armed with a firearm in the line of duty. (c) Definitions Section 921(a) of such title is amended by inserting after paragraph (29) the following: (30) The term law enforcement officer means a person— (A) who is elected, appointed, or employed by the Federal Government or by a State or political subdivision thereof; (B) who is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests; and (C) whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws, including any supervisory or command personnel whose duties include the supervision, training, guidance, or management of any such person. (31) The term correctional officer means a person— (A) who is appointed or employed by the Federal Government or by a State or political subdivision thereof, and whose primary responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or investigation, of inmates of a correctional institution; or (B) who is employed by any private entity that has contracted with the Federal Government or a State or political subdivision thereof, and who has such a primary responsibility. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to conduct engaged in after the 6-month period that begins with the date of enactment of this Act.