H.R. 1674: Keep Americans Safe Act

H.R. 1674 would write a new federal crime into the firearms code: importing, selling, manufacturing, transferring, or possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device in or affecting interstate commerce. The definition is broad — magazines, drums, belts, feed strips, helical devices, and any two of them coupled together — set at an overall capacity above 15 rounds. A device that can be readily restored, changed, or converted to take more than 15 rounds counts the same as one that already does.

One product type is written out of the definition entirely: an attached tubular device built to work only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. That keeps most rimfire rifles clear of the ban regardless of round count.

The grandfather clause is narrower than it first reads. It lifts the ban for devices lawfully possessed on or before the date of enactment, and it lifts it only as to possession. The bill lets you keep what you already own, and nothing in it lets you sell, trade, or hand that magazine to anyone else.

The exemption list past that is institutional rather than personal. Federal, state, and local agencies are covered, as are qualified law enforcement officers on or off duty, campus police at private colleges that meet a set of federal criteria, officers retired in good standing who keep a device issued or bought for official use, security operations at licensed nuclear facilities, and licensed manufacturers or importers running tests the Attorney General has authorized.

Three enforcement pieces ride along. Devices manufactured after enactment would have to carry an engraved or cast serial number and manufacture date. Covered devices involved in a violation would be added to existing federal seizure and forfeiture rules. And violations would fall under the federal firearms penalty provision carrying a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

The last section is money that already exists. States and localities could spend Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds compensating people who turn devices in under a buy-back program. The bill adds no new appropriation and sets no price per magazine.