Disarming Felons Act
Summary
The Disarming Felons Act aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit the sale or transfer of firearms to individuals who, as juveniles (ages 15-17), committed offenses that would have been felonies if committed by adults. It also prohibits these individuals from possessing firearms. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Ms. Van Duyne and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Disarming Felons Act would expand the categories of individuals prohibited from owning or possessing firearms under federal law. This would potentially reduce gun violence by preventing individuals with a history of serious juvenile offenses from accessing firearms. The Act would modify sections 922(d) and 922(g) of Title 18, impacting both firearm disposition and possession.
Potential Benefits
- May reduce gun violence by preventing access to firearms by individuals with a history of serious offenses.
- Could enhance public safety by restricting firearm ownership among a specific group deemed potentially dangerous.
- Reinforces the principle that past serious criminal behavior, even as a juvenile, can have lasting consequences regarding firearm rights.
- Potentially aligns with the government's interest in regulating firearms to promote public safety.
- May deter juvenile crime by increasing the potential long-term consequences of committing serious offenses.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of individuals who committed offenses as juveniles but have since become law-abiding adults.
- Could disproportionately affect minority communities, who may have higher rates of juvenile arrests for offenses that would be felonies if committed by adults.
- Raises questions about the fairness of permanently restricting rights based on actions committed as a juvenile.
- May face legal challenges based on due process and equal protection grounds.
- Could create difficulties in determining which juvenile offenses qualify as felonies if committed by an adult, leading to potential inconsistencies in enforcement.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable, particularly concerning the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, but this right is not unlimited. The Supreme Court has acknowledged the government's power to regulate firearm ownership to promote public safety. However, restrictions must be carefully tailored and not unduly infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens. The bill's alignment with the Constitution depends on whether the restrictions are deemed reasonable and narrowly tailored to address a specific public safety concern. Further legal challenges are possible, especially concerning due process and equal protection.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).