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S. 2180

Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988

(Measure indefinitely postponed in Senate, H.R. 4445 passed in lieu)

Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to manufacture, assemble, import, sell, ship, or deliver (or knowingly possess, transfer, or receive) any firearm which is not: (1) as detectable as the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar (after the removal of grips, stocks, and magazines) by walk-through metal detectors calibrated to detect the Exemplar; or (2) detectable by airport cabinet x-ray systems. States that nothing in this Act shall require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar as an FAA detection standard.

Defines the term "Minimum Security Standard Exemplar" to mean a firearm substitute used for testing that resembles a revolver, is made of stainless steel, and weighs 3.7 ounces.

Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms.

Directs the Administrator of the FAA to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors and airport security x-ray systems.

Allows the Secretary, when appropriate because of changed technology, to promulgate regulations to amend the definition of Minimum Security Standard Exemplar. Prohibits the Secretary from amending such definition so as to increase the weight of the Exemplar as set forth in this Act.

Permits the conditional importation of firearms for the purpose of examiniation and testing to determine whether the importation of such firearms will be allowed under this Act.

Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation to conduct studies to identify available equipment capable of detecting the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects.

Provides increased criminal penalties for using or carrying an undetectable firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime.

Provides for the imposition of mandatory criminal penalties for using or carrying a firearm while assaulting a Federal officer.

Makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, or attempt to possess, a firearm or dangerous weapon in a Federal courthouse.

Makes it a Federal criminal offense to possess explosives in FAA regulated airports. Increases the criminal penalties for possessing explosives in Government buildings.

Increases the criminal penalties for using fire or explosives to commit, or carrying an explosive during the commission of, a Federal felony.

Prohibits the transfer of firearms to any person who does not reside in the State in which the transferor resides.

Makes it unlawful to traffic in stolen firearms (or firearms which have had their serial numbers altered) which have been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Makes it unlawful to manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transfer, or receive any toy or imitation firearm which does not have markings which make it readily identifiable.

Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Voice Vote.

Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH](D-OH)Sponsor
27 cosponsors15 D12 R
27cosponsors1committees13actions2amendments1related bills22subjects
  1. Floor

    Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Voice Vote.

  2. Floor

    Senate passed companion measure H.R. 4445 in lieu of this measure by Voice Vote.

  3. Floor

    Senate incorporated this measure in H.R. 4445 as an amendment.

  4. Floor

    Measure laid before Senate.

  5. Floor

    Star Print ordered S.2180.

  6. Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 668.

  7. Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Byrd for Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  8. Committee14000

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Byrd for Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  9. Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  10. Committee

    Subcommittee on Constitution. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee
  11. Committee

    Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.

    Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee
  12. IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

May 25, 198834
(Measure indefinitely postponed in Senate, H.R. 4445 passed in lieu)

Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to manufacture, assemble, import, sell, ship, or deliver (or knowingly possess, transfer, or receive) any firearm which is not: (1) as detectable as the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar (after the removal of grips, stocks, and magazines) by walk-through metal detectors calibrated to detect the Exemplar; or (2) detectable by airport cabinet x-ray systems. States that nothing in this Act shall require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar as an FAA detection standard.

Defines the term "Minimum Security Standard Exemplar" to mean a firearm substitute used for testing that resembles a revolver, is made of stainless steel, and weighs 3.7 ounces.

Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms.

Directs the Administrator of the FAA to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors and airport security x-ray systems.

Allows the Secretary, when appropriate because of changed technology, to promulgate regulations to amend the definition of Minimum Security Standard Exemplar. Prohibits the Secretary from amending such definition so as to increase the weight of the Exemplar as set forth in this Act.

Permits the conditional importation of firearms for the purpose of examiniation and testing to determine whether the importation of such firearms will be allowed under this Act.

Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation to conduct studies to identify available equipment capable of detecting the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects.

Provides increased criminal penalties for using or carrying an undetectable firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime.

Provides for the imposition of mandatory criminal penalties for using or carrying a firearm while assaulting a Federal officer.

Makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, or attempt to possess, a firearm or dangerous weapon in a Federal courthouse.

Makes it a Federal criminal offense to possess explosives in FAA regulated airports. Increases the criminal penalties for possessing explosives in Government buildings.

Increases the criminal penalties for using fire or explosives to commit, or carrying an explosive during the commission of, a Federal felony.

Prohibits the transfer of firearms to any person who does not reside in the State in which the transferor resides.

Makes it unlawful to traffic in stolen firearms (or firearms which have had their serial numbers altered) which have been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Makes it unlawful to manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transfer, or receive any toy or imitation firearm which does not have markings which make it readily identifiable.

May 12, 198801
(Reported to Senate from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment (without written report))

Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to manufacture, assemble, import, sell, ship, or deliver (or knowingly possess, transfer, or receive) any firearm which is not: (1) as detectable as the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar (after the removal of grips, stocks, and magazines) by walk-through metal detectors calibrated to detect the Exemplar; or (2) detectable by airport cabinet x-ray systems. States that nothing in this Act shall require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar as an FAA detection standard.

Defines the term "Minimum Security Standard Exemplar" to mean a firearm substitute used for testing that resembles a revolver, is made of stainless steel, and weighs 3.7 ounces.

Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms.

Directs the Administrator of the FAA to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors and airport security x-ray systems.

Allows the Secretary, when appropriate because of changed technology, to promulgate regulations to amend the definition of Minimum Security Standard Exemplar. Prohibits the Secretary from amending such definition so as to increase the weight of the Exemplar as set forth in this Act.

Permits the conditional importation of firearms for the purpose of examiniation and testing to determine whether the importation of such firearms will be allowed under this Act.

Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation to conduct studies to identify available equipment capable of detecting the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects.

Provides increased criminal penalties for using or carrying an undetectable firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime.

Provides for the imposition of mandatory criminal penalties for using or carrying a firearm while assaulting a Federal officer.

Makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, or attempt to possess, a firearm or dangerous weapon in a Federal courthouse.

Permits the court to consider pretrial detention for certain firearms and explosives offenses.

Makes it a Federal criminal offense to possess explosives in FAA regulated airports. Increases the criminal penalties for possessing explosives in Government buildings.

Increases the criminal penalties for using fire or explosives to commit, or carrying an explosive during the commission of, a Federal felony.

Prohibits the transfer of firearms to any person who does not reside in the State in which the transferor resides.

Makes it unlawful to traffic in stolen firearms (or firearms which have had their serial numbers altered) which have been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Mar 16, 198800

Firearms Detection Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, assemble, import, sell, possess, receive, ship, or deliver any firearm which is not: (1) as detectable as the Minimum Standard Security Exemplar, after removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, by walk-through metal detectors commonly used at U.S. airports; or (2) impregnated with barium sulfate, or a similar compound, to facilitate detectability by cabinet x-ray systems. Defines the term "Minimum Security Standard Exemplar" to mean a firearm substitute used for testing that resembles a revolver, is made of stainless steel, and weighs four ounces.

States that nothing in this Act shall require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar as an FAA detection standard.

Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms.

Directs the Administrator of the FAA to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors and airport security x-ray systems.

Allows the Secretary, when appropriate because of changed technology, to submit proposed legislation to amend the definition of Minimum Security Standard Exemplar.

Directs the Administrator of the FAA, the Director of the Secret Service, and the Director of the Marshals Service to conduct a study to identify available equipment capable of detecting the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects.

Provides increased criminal penalties for using or carrying an undetectable firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime.