A Democratic bill with 11 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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, known as the "Responsible Firearms Marketing Act," directs the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on the advertising and marketing of firearms. The Commission is tasked with identifying potentially unfair or deceptive acts or practices, specifically looking at materials that might appeal to those under 18, encourage illegal use, or involve semiautomatic assault weapons. Following the study, the Commission must submit a report to Congress with recommendations. Afterward, the Commission is required to create regulations to prohibit such unfair or deceptive practices by firearm manufacturers, dealers, or importers. These regulations will be subject to enforcement by the Commission.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill creates regulations targeting the marketing of semiautomatic assault weapons and appeals to minors.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill empowers the FTC to prohibit unfair or deceptive advertising practices related to firearms.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill seeks to prohibit marketing materials designed to appeal to individuals under the age of 18.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -4
Does this protect the right to own guns?
The bill restricts how firearms, including semiautomatic assault weapons, can be advertised and marketed.
- Scored -3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill imposes new regulatory requirements and potential penalties on firearms dealers and manufacturers.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Firearm manufacturers and dealers face new regulatory burdens and potential penalties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Identification of Unfair Practices: The Commission will conduct a study to identify advertising or marketing that may be unfair or deceptive regarding firearms (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Protection for Minors: The study and subsequent regulations will 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)).
-
Prevention of Illegal Use: The bill seeks to address advertising that may imply or encourage the illegal use of firearm products (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii) and Section 2(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Regulation of Specific Weaponry: The Commission will address advertising or marketing related to the sale 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 Burdens on Industry: The bill requires 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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Penalties for Violations: Any person who violates the regulations created by the Commission will be subject to 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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the regulatory authority of the Federal Trade Commission over the firearms industry.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill empowers the FTC to prohibit unfair or deceptive advertising practices related to firearms. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill imposes new regulatory requirements and potential penalties on firearms dealers and manufacturers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill creates regulations targeting the marketing of semiautomatic assault weapons and appeals to minors. Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill restricts how firearms, including semiautomatic assault weapons, can be advertised and marketed.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill seeks to prohibit marketing materials designed to appeal to individuals under the age of 18. Would business owners be better off under this? — Firearm manufacturers and dealers face new regulatory burdens and potential penalties. Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill introduces new regulations regarding the marketing of specific types of firearms like semiautomatic assault weapons.
- 3/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- 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.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts