HB1773, titled the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025, would amend federal firearms law to increase criminal penalties for stealing firearms from a Federal firearms licensee. The bill targets violations of 18 U.S.C. 922(u), which prohibits theft of firearms from licensed importers, manufacturers, or dealers, and would raise the maximum penalty to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both.
The bill also creates mandatory minimum sentences when the theft occurs during another serious crime. If the firearm theft happens during a burglary of a licensed firearms business, the minimum prison term would be 3 years; if it occurs during a robbery, the minimum would be 5 years. In addition, the bill expands existing language to cover attempts to steal firearms from licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors, not just completed offenses.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend section 924 of title 18 of the U.S. Code and strengthen federal penalties tied to firearm theft from federally licensed gun businesses and collectors. It would affect criminal sentencing for offenders who steal or attempt to steal firearms from Federal firearms licensees, especially in burglary and robbery cases, and would likely increase exposure to federal prosecution and longer prison terms for those offenses.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been introduced with strong support from a large bipartisan group of House cosponsors, suggesting generally favorable sentiment toward the measure. No committee debate or recorded votes are provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition in the available materials. The framing of the bill as a public-safety and firearms-theft deterrence measure indicates a law-and-order orientation that is likely to attract support from members concerned about gun trafficking and retail firearm store burglaries.
Contention
The main policy issue is the use of enhanced and mandatory minimum federal penalties for firearm theft, particularly the 3-year and 5-year minimums tied to burglary and robbery. Supporters are likely to argue that stronger penalties are needed to deter organized thefts from gun dealers and reduce downstream gun trafficking, while potential critics may object to mandatory minimum sentencing, expanded federal criminal exposure, or the broader use of incarceration as a deterrent. Because no committee transcript or vote data are available, specific member objections cannot be identified from the record provided.