A Democratic bill with 17 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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
The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the advertising and marketing of firearms. This study must identify potentially unfair or deceptive practices, specifically looking at materials targeting individuals under 18, those implying illegal use, or those relating to semiautomatic assault weapons. Within two years, the Commission must submit a report to Congress including recommendations for action. Following that report, the Commission is required to issue regulations to prohibit such unfair or deceptive practices by firearm manufacturers, dealers, or importers. Violations of these new regulations would be treated as violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill implements gun control measures by regulating how firearms and specific weapon types are marketed.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances consumer protection by regulating potentially deceptive firearm marketing practices.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill aims to protect minors by regulating marketing materials designed to appeal to those under 18.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers face new regulatory burdens and potential legal risks.
- Scored -4
Does this protect the right to own guns?
The bill imposes new regulatory restrictions on the marketing of firearms, which may impact Second Amendment interests.
- Scored -3
Would gun owners be better off under this?
The regulation of firearm marketing may impact the ways gun owners access product information.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection against deceptive advertising: The bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to identify and prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices related to firearm marketing (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(b)(1)).
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Targeted protection for minors: The study and subsequent regulations are directed to consider marketing materials that may be designed to appeal to individuals younger than 18 years of age (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(i) and Section 2(b)(2)(A)(i)).
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Prevention of illegal use promotion: The bill aims to address advertising that may imply or encourage the illegal use of the marketed product (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii) and Section 2(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Regulation of specific weapon types: The Commission is tasked with looking into the advertising or marketing of semiautomatic assault weapons (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii) and Section 2(b)(2)(A)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Regulatory burden on industry members: The bill directs the Commission to issue regulations that prohibit manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms from engaging in certain advertising or marketing practices (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Legal and financial risks for violators: Any person who violates the regulations promulgated by the Commission will be subject to the penalties provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (Section 2(c)(2)(B)).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by regulating potentially deceptive firearm marketing practices.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the regulatory authority of the Federal Trade Commission over the firearm industry.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill aims to protect minors by regulating marketing materials designed to appeal to those under 18. Would business owners be better off under this? — Firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers face new regulatory burdens and potential legal risks. Would gun owners be better off under this? — The regulation of firearm marketing may impact the ways gun owners access product information.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill implements gun control measures by regulating how firearms and specific weapon types are marketed. Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill imposes new regulatory restrictions on the marketing of firearms, which may impact Second Amendment interests. Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The regulation of marketing materials may restrict certain forms of commercial speech related to firearms.
- 2/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 15 Cosponsors added.
- 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.
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan