H.R.3373 - Gun Hardware Oversight and Shipment Tracking Act of 2025; GHOST Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3373, also known as the GHOST Act of 2025, aims to establish a federal system for reporting the interstate movement of specific firearm parts (barrel, slide, or bolt carrier). This system, named the Federal Interstate Firearm Parts Reporting System, would require entities shipping these parts to register the shipments with the Attorney General. The bill outlines registration requirements, delivery confirmation procedures, and penalties for non-compliance.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be increased tracking and monitoring of firearm parts across state lines. This could potentially aid law enforcement in investigating and preventing gun-related crimes. It would also impose new regulatory burdens on businesses and individuals involved in the sale and transportation of these parts.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced ability for law enforcement to track firearm parts used in crimes.
- Potential reduction in illegal gun trafficking across state lines.
- Improved data collection for analyzing firearm-related crime trends.
- Increased accountability for shippers and recipients of firearm parts.
- May contribute to a safer environment by deterring illegal firearm modifications and sales.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased regulatory burden on businesses and individuals, potentially increasing costs.
- Potential for delays in legal firearm part shipments due to registration requirements.
- Concerns about data privacy and potential misuse of the collected information.
- Possible challenges in enforcing the registration requirements, especially for private sales.
- Could disproportionately affect smaller businesses or individuals who may lack the resources to comply with the new regulations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. Proponents may argue it falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8). Opponents may argue it infringes upon the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The level of scrutiny applied by courts would depend on whether the regulations are considered a reasonable restriction or an undue burden on that right. The First Amendment is not directly implicated.
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).