H.R. 1773: Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025
Sponsor
John Rutherford
Republican · FL-5
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Why it matters
The bill responds to ongoing concerns about smash-and-grab gun store burglaries that can quickly put stolen firearms into illegal markets.
Supporters are likely to argue that gun-store break-ins are a direct pipeline to crime and that stronger penalties could deter theft and help protect communities. Critics may question whether longer prison terms and mandatory minimums actually reduce crime, or whether the bill focuses more on punishment after the fact than on prevention, security upgrades, or trafficking investigations.
What does H.R. 1773 do?
Raises maximum penalty for stealing from licensed gun businesses
A person who knowingly steals a firearm from a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both.
Covers attempted thefts too
Someone who tries but fails to steal a firearm from a covered licensed business could still face the same enhanced federal penalty.
Creates a 3-year minimum for burglary cases
If the gun theft happens during a burglary of a licensed gun business, the sentence must include at least 3 years in prison.
Creates a 5-year minimum for robbery cases
If the gun theft happens during a robbery, the sentence must include at least 5 years in prison.
Defines burglary for this specific law
The bill says burglary means unlawfully entering or staying inside the business premises of a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer with intent to commit a crime.
Expands attempt language for other covered licensees
The bill also adds attempt language to another penalty provision involving theft from licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors, broadening federal prosecutorial reach.
Who benefits from H.R. 1773?
Federal firearms licensees
Licensed gun importers, manufacturers, dealers, and some collectors would get stronger legal protection and potentially greater deterrence against theft.
Law enforcement and federal prosecutors
They would have clearer statutory language and tougher penalties to use in cases involving stolen firearms from licensed businesses.
Communities affected by illegal gun trafficking
If the law deters theft or disrupts supply chains for stolen guns, communities could see fewer firearms diverted into criminal use.
Insurance and security stakeholders around gun retailers
Stronger penalties may support broader efforts to reduce losses from burglaries and robberies targeting gun stores.
Who is affected by H.R. 1773?
People accused or convicted of stealing guns from licensed businesses
They would face harsher penalties, including possible mandatory minimum prison terms in burglary and robbery cases.
Federal judges
Judges would have less discretion in certain sentencing decisions because the bill sets minimum prison terms for covered offenses.
Licensed gun dealers, importers, and manufacturers
Their businesses are the direct targets covered by the bill, and they may see greater legal attention to thefts from their premises.
Federal prison and justice systems
Longer sentences and more attempted-theft prosecutions could increase caseloads, detention time, and correctional costs over time.
H.R. 1773 Common Questions
How much prison time for stealing a gun from a federally licensed gun store under HR 1773?
Under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 2), knowingly stealing a firearm from a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer can bring up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both.
Can attempted gun theft from a licensed firearms dealer get 20 years in prison?
Yes. Under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 2), attempting to violate the firearm-theft provision carries the same penalty—up to 20 years, a fine, or both.
What is the mandatory minimum for burglarizing a gun store and stealing firearms?
According to H.R. 1773 Sec. 2, if the firearm theft happens during a burglary of a licensed gun business, the sentence must be at least 3 years in prison.
What is the mandatory minimum for robbing a licensed gun dealer and taking firearms?
Under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 2), a firearm theft committed during a robbery of a covered licensed business carries a minimum 5-year prison sentence.
What counts as burglary under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025?
Under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 2), burglary means unlawfully entering or remaining in the business premises of a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer with intent to commit a crime.
Does HR 1773 apply to thefts from licensed firearms collectors?
Yes, in part. According to H.R. 1773 Sec. 2, the bill adds 'attempts to do so' to the theft penalty provision covering licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, and collectors.
Which federal firearms licensees are protected by the new theft penalties in HR 1773?
Under H.R. 1773 Sec. 2, the bill covers licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and—in the amended collector provision—licensed collectors.
Does this bill create a federal crime for attempted theft from a licensed gun collector?
Yes. Under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 2), the amended 18 U.S.C. 924(m) expressly adds liability for anyone who 'attempts to do so' when stealing from a covered licensee, including collectors.
Can someone be federally charged for staying inside a gun store unlawfully with intent to commit a crime?
Yes. According to H.R. 1773 Sec. 2, burglary includes unlawfully remaining in the business premises of a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer with intent to commit a crime.
Does HR 1773 use the federal Hobbs Act definition of robbery?
Yes. Under the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 2), 'robbery' has the same meaning as in 18 U.S.C. 1951(b).
Based on H.R. 1773 bill text
HR1773 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
John Rutherford
Republican, Florida's 5th congressional district · 9 years in Congress
Committees: Ethics, Appropriations
View full profile →
Cosponsors (79)
This bill has 79 cosponsors: 3 Democrats, 76 Republicans. Cosponsors represent 32 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, and 29 more.
Jared Golden
Democrat · ME
Ron Estes
Republican · KS
Claudia Tenney
Republican · NY
Mike Bost
Republican · IL
Nick LaLota
Republican · NY
Aaron Bean
Republican · FL
John Rose
Republican · TN
Brad Finstad
Republican · MN
Barry Moore
Republican · AL
Eric Burlison
Republican · MO
Blake Moore
Republican · UT
Brett Guthrie
Republican · KY
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
5 of 44 committee members cosponsored
20 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 1773 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Mar 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 3, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with full text, cosponsors, and legislative status for the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025.
The federal statute this bill amends, currently setting penalties for theft from FFLs at up to 10 years — HR 1773 would double the maximum to 20 years.
Contains Section 922(u), the underlying prohibition against stealing firearms from licensed dealers that this bill strengthens penalties for.
The bill adopts this statute's definition of robbery for its 5-year mandatory minimum sentencing provision.
ATF regulation requiring federal firearms licensees to report stolen or lost firearms within 48 hours — the reporting framework that surfaces the theft problem this bill targets.
The committee HR 1773 has been referred to, which has jurisdiction over federal criminal law and will decide whether to advance the bill.
Who is lobbying on H.R. 1773?
2 organizations lobbying on this bill
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE | 8 |
GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA INC | 3 |
Showing 1-2 of 2 organizations
H.R. 1773 Bill Text
“To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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