GOSAFE Act

Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act, S.3329

Introduced 11/30/2023 by Senators Heinrich (D-NM), King (I-Maine), Kelly (D-Ariz), & Bennet (D-Colo)

Background Terminology:

• “Gas-operated” refers to firearm operating systems in which the gas generated from firing one round is used to load subsequent rounds into the chamber
•  “Permanently fixed” means the firearm cannot accept a detachable, high-capacity magazine that would increase the number of rounds fired before reloading, make reloading easier

Summary of the Bill:

Regulates the Sale, Transfer, & Manufacture of Semi-Automatic Firearms by:

• Establishing a list of prohibited firearms according to internal firing mechanisms
• Preventing unlawful modifications of firearms and self-assembly/manufacture
• Mandating future gas-operated designs be approved by ATF before manufacture
• Listing exempt permanently fixed devices

Limits High-Capacity Ammunition Devices, Outlaws Conversion Devices by:

• limiting the number of rounds that large capacity ammunition feeding devices are permitted to carry to 10 rounds of ammunition or fewer

• outlawing conversion devices, including bump stocks and Glock switches

Creates a voluntary buy-back program

How this Bill Compares with the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023, S.25/HR.698:
The proposed 2023 AWB bans the sale, transfer, and manufacture of firearms based on specific gun models and cosmetic features. It also includes a buy-back program. Instead of focusing on style of weapon, which manufacturers can get around by slightly altering features and building new models, the GOSAFE Act regulates firearms based on their internal firing mechanism or modifications, focusing more on the inherently lethal quick ammunition reloading and magazine capacity without being too narrow.
However, unlike the 2023 AWB, the GOSAFE Act still technically allows assault weapons to be made, sold, and used, just under the strict regulations outlined above. Additionally, GOSAFE-regulated weapons may be more difficult to identify by sight because the operating system and caliber of ammunition is internal, which may pose a challenge for effective law enforcement.

References: Bill text | Sen. Heinrich’s Bill Text Breakdown | Sen. Heinrich’s Fact Sheet