A Republican bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 Freedom to Ship Act aims to stop discrimination against the transportation of firearms, ammunition, or related components by motor carriers. It prohibits carriers from declining to transport these items or imposing extra conditions not required by law. The bill also prevents carriers from charging higher prices than they would for similar objects and restricts certain information disclosure requirements. Violators may face civil penalties of $10,000 per violation and be liable for damages to shippers or consignees. Additionally, the actions of a carrier's employees are considered the actions of the carrier itself.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Would gun owners be better off under this?
The bill directly protects the rights of gun owners to have their products shipped without discrimination.
- Scored +7
Does this protect the right to own guns?
The bill protects the ability of individuals to transport and transfer firearms and ammunition.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?
The bill facilitates smoother interstate commerce of firearms and ammunition by limiting carrier interference.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill limits the ability of carriers to refuse transport of firearms, which may impact certain gun control enforcement goals.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes new legal liabilities and potential civil penalties on motor carriers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Lawful Transfers: Motor carriers would be prohibited from declining to transport firearms, ammunition, or component parts that are lawfully possessed and can be lawfully transported, which ensures the ability to move these items between states, territories, or the District of Columbia (Section 2(a)).
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Fair Pricing: The bill prevents carriers from charging more for the transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components than they charge for other objects of a similar size, weight, and hazard class (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Prevention of Unnecessary Restrictions: Carriers would be unable to impose conditions on transportation that are not required by federal law and that restrict a person's ability to transfer or dispose of products lawfully in their possession (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Financial Recourse for Harmed Parties: If a carrier violates these rules, the harmed shipper or consignee can seek all compensatory and consequential damages (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Accountability for Carriers: The bill establishes a $10,000 civil penalty for each violation to be paid to the United States Government (Section 2(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Liability for Carriers: Motor carriers can be held liable for the actions or omissions of their agents and employees when they are acting within the scope of their employment (Section 2(c)).
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Potential Financial Burden through Lawsuits: Shippers or consignees who believe they have been harmed by a violation can sue for all compensatory and consequential damages (Section 2(b)(2)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The bill facilitates smoother interstate commerce of firearms and ammunition by limiting carrier interference. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal authority by imposing new civil penalties and regulations on motor carriers.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill directly protects the rights of gun owners to have their products shipped without discrimination. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes new legal liabilities and potential civil penalties on motor carriers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill provides consumer-style protections for shippers against discriminatory pricing and service denials.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill protects the ability of individuals to transport and transfer firearms and ammunition. Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill limits the ability of carriers to refuse transport of firearms, which may impact certain gun control enforcement goals.
- 7/30/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sheri BiggsRepublican · South Carolina
Michael CloudRepublican · Texas
Clay HigginsRepublican · Louisiana