Congressional Leaders Introduce the AMMO Act to Enhance Oversight on Ammunition Sales

In a move to address the ongoing concerns surrounding unregulated ammunition sales, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-25) have recently presented the “Ammunition Modernization and Monitoring Oversight (AMMO) Act.” The proposed legislation aims to impose restrictions on bulk ammunition sales, mandate federal licensing for ammunition vendors, and implement background checks for buyers.

Key Points of the AMMO Act: The AMMO Act seeks to introduce critical measures to regulate the sale of ammunition and enhance oversight in an area that currently lacks comprehensive regulations. The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Licensing Requirements: The proposed legislation mandates that businesses selling ammunition obtain the same federal license as gun dealers, aligning with the existing regulatory framework for firearms.
2. Background Checks: Under the AMMO Act, businesses would be required to conduct background checks on individuals purchasing ammunition. This measure aims to ensure that individuals with concerning backgrounds do not have unrestricted access to potentially lethal quantities of ammunition.
3. Prohibition on Straw Purchases: Similar to existing regulations for firearms, the bill extends the prohibition on straw purchases to ammunition. This prevents individuals from acquiring ammunition with the intention of selling it illegally to others.
4. Data Sharing: The AMMO Act advocates for improved data sharing on ammunition sales, addressing the current lack of recordkeeping and data-sharing requirements in the ammunition retail industry.

Support and Endorsements: The proposed legislation has garnered support from various advocacy groups and organizations dedicated to gun safety and violence prevention. Endorsements include Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady, Giffords, March for Our Lives, and several others.

Congressman Garcia’s Commitment to Gun Violence Prevention: Congressman Garcia, a strong advocate for common-sense gun violence prevention, has consistently championed legislative initiatives in this realm. Having served as the Former Mayor of Long Beach, he actively supported gun reform at the state and local levels. In Congress, Garcia has previously cosponsored significant bills such as the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023 and the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023.

Conclusion: The introduction of the AMMO Act represents a crucial step towards addressing the gaps in ammunition sales regulations and bolstering oversight mechanisms. As the proposed legislation undergoes further consideration, it is expected to spark important discussions on the balance between individual rights and public safety in the context of ammunition accessibility.