H.R. 2620House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 6:11 AM UTC

The Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023 changes federal law to increase criminal penalties for stealing firearms from licensed dealers, importers, manufacturers, or collectors. It raises the maximum prison term to 20 years and sets minimum sentences when the theft occurs during a burglary or robbery, affecting anyone who knowingly violates the illegal firearm possession rules.

Key Provisions

Increases the penalty for knowingly violating 18 U.S.C. 922(u) (possession of a stolen firearm) to up to 20 years in prison or a fine.
Requires a minimum of 3 years imprisonment if the violation occurs during a burglary of a licensed firearms business.
Requires a minimum of 5 years imprisonment if the violation occurs during a robbery of a licensed firearms business.
Defines “burglary” as unlawful entry into or remaining in the premises of a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer with intent to commit a crime, and adopts the existing definition of “robbery.”
Adds language to subsection (m) to include “or attempts to do so” after “or licensed collector.”

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

April 13, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 13, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

April 13, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 13, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2620

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 13, 2023

Mr. Rutherford (for himself and Mr. Cuellar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023.

Amendments to enhance certain penalties

Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following:

(i)

(1)

(A)

A person who knowingly violates section 922(u), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

(B)

In the case of a violation described in subparagraph (A) that occurs during the commission of—

(i)

a burglary, the term of imprisonment shall be not less than 3 years; or

(ii)

a robbery, the term of imprisonment shall be not less than 5 years.

(2)

In this subsection—

(A)

the term burglary means the unlawful entry into, or remaining in, the business premises of a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer with the intent to commit a crime; and

(B)

the term robbery has the meaning given the term in section 1951(b).

; and

(2)

in subsection (m), by inserting , or attempts to do so, after or licensed collector.