A Republican bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S8782)
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 is called the Less Than Lethal Act and was introduced in the Senate by Mr. Barrasso. The legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize the National Firearms Act. It accounts for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons. Specifically, the bill exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices and related shells or cartridges from firearms and ammunition taxes. It also exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from the National Firearms Act.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +3
Does this change how police departments operate?
Encourages the adoption and availability of less-than-lethal self-defense and law enforcement tools by removing restrictive federal hurdles.
- Scored +3
Does this protect the right to own guns?
Eases regulatory and tax burdens on alternative self-defense projectile devices.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Manufacturers and sellers of less-than-lethal devices benefit from reduced tax burdens and clearer regulatory definitions.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
Exempts certain projectile devices from the National Firearms Act and specific taxes, which may concern strict gun control advocates.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Tax Exemption for Devices: Section 2 amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to state that the tax imposed by section 4181 shall not apply to any less-than-lethal projectile device, certain devices on a list made available by the Secretary, and specific shells or cartridges designed for use in those devices. This could be positive because it removes taxes on these specific items.
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Tax Exemption for Shells and Cartridges: Section 2 also exempts shells or cartridges that meet specific requirements and are designed for use in less-than-lethal projectile devices from the firearms and ammunition tax. This is a positive outcome for individuals purchasing these specific types of ammunition.
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Exemption from the National Firearms Act: Section 3 amends section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by inserting less-than-lethal projectile devices into the exception list alongside antique firearms. This means these devices are exempted from the National Firearms Act.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No explicit negative impacts identified: Based strictly on the text provided in the bill, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Manufacturers and sellers of less-than-lethal devices benefit from reduced tax burdens and clearer regulatory definitions. Would gun owners be better off under this? — Gun owners and enthusiasts interested in alternative projectile devices experience fewer regulatory and tax hurdles. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Tax exemptions marginally reduce the purchase price of qualifying less-than-lethal protection devices. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged individuals purchasing self-defense products benefit from tax exemptions and modernization. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class consumers benefit from the elimination of certain federal excise taxes on these specific items. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees seeking accessible home protection tools benefit from the availability of less-than-lethal equipment. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors looking for manageable self-defense options benefit from clearer access to less-than-lethal tools. Would women be better off under this? — Women seeking non-lethal personal protection options benefit from increased affordability and product clarity. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults seeking alternative or less-than-lethal home defense options benefit from lower costs and better availability.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Provides clearer classifications and removes excise taxes for manufacturers and sellers of less-than-lethal technologies. Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices and associated ammunition from federal firearms and ammunition taxes. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — Manufacturers, producers, or importers of qualifying less-than-lethal devices benefit from tax exemptions on their sales. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Modernizing regulations and reducing tax burdens on less-than-lethal technology may slightly spur market activity for these products.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the government to publish and annually update lists of qualifying less-than-lethal projectile devices. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Establishes clear federal classification and review timelines for manufacturers and importers operating across state lines. Does this give the federal government more power? — Tasks the Secretary with maintaining annual lists, reviewing emerging technologies, and reporting to Congress.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — Encourages the adoption and availability of less-than-lethal self-defense and law enforcement tools by removing restrictive federal hurdles. Does this protect the right to own guns? — Eases regulatory and tax burdens on alternative self-defense projectile devices. Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — Exempts certain projectile devices from the National Firearms Act and specific taxes, which may concern strict gun control advocates.
- 3/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S8782)
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming