CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) introduced legislation to permanently authorize the Undetectable Firearms Act, which President Reagan first enacted in 1988 and Congress has renewed three times since. The bill makes it illegal to manufacture, own or sell firearms that do not contain enough metal to set off walk-through metal detectors or x-ray machines.

“Since 1988, the Undetectable Firearms Act has kept Americans safe by ensuring plastic guns can’t be snuck through security. It’s an important and commonsense measure that goes a long way to protecting our airports, government buildings and other public spaces. Allowing it to lapse now would be a mistake,” Grassley said.

“Letting this bill lapse could allow plastic firearms to slip through metal detectors and other security devices, putting the public and law enforcement at risk. Nobody wants to be in a crowded stadium, a packed courtroom, or on an aircraft with an armed and dangerous gunman. Congress must do the right thing and pass our bipartisan, commonsense bill to keep these undetectable firearms illegal and keep the public safe,” Reed said.

The most recent reauthorization of the Undetectable Firearms Act is set to expire on March 8, 2024, as it was not included in year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Failing to prohibit undetectable firearms would pose substantial risks to public safety and challenges for law enforcement officers who combat crime in airports, government buildings, stadiums and other high-traffic areas.

Grassley and Reed’s reauthorization bill is a clean extension of measures that have been on the books for decades. It has garnered strong support from a variety of organizations, including law enforcement associations and professional sports leagues, who have vouched for the Undetectable Firearms Act’s role in “help[ing] keep Americans safe in public spaces” and cited its reauthorization as “critical to public safety.”

The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys.

Download bill text HERE.

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