David Kustoff (R-TN)
Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act," aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code regarding the sentencing of armed career criminals. It modifies section 924 to change how certain offenses are categorized. The legislation updates the criteria for what constitutes a "serious felony conviction." Under the new rules, individuals with three or more such convictions face specific mandatory prison terms. Specifically, those violating section 922(g) would face a sentence of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal authority by expanding mandatory sentencing guidelines under Title 18.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill expands and stiffens mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders.
- Scored -4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill imposes strict mandatory minimums that limit judicial discretion in sentencing.
- Scored -3
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill implements stricter mandatory sentencing rather than reformatory policing measures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Mandatory Sentencing: Under Section 2, subsection (e)(1), individuals who knowingly violate section 922(g) and have three or more previous serious felony convictions would be subject to a prison sentence of no less than 15 years and no more than 30 years. Additionally, the court would be prohibited from suspending the sentence or granting probation for the conviction under section 922(g).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Redefinition of Serious Felony Convictions: Section 2, subsection (e)(2) expands the definition of a "serious felony conviction." This includes any felony offense punishable by a statutory maximum of at least 10 years, or any group of convictions where a court imposed a total term of at least 10 years in a single or consolidated proceeding. This change affects how sentencing is applied to individuals with multiple prior convictions.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill expands and stiffens mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill implements stricter mandatory sentencing rather than reformatory policing measures.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal authority by expanding mandatory sentencing guidelines under Title 18. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill imposes strict mandatory minimums that limit judicial discretion in sentencing.
- 7/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.