Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined 22 of her Senate Republican colleagues to reintroduce the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2023. This legislation – led by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) – would address the unacceptably high number of “smash-and-grab” thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers by enhancing penalties for criminals who steal firearms from federally licensed firearms and ammunition dealers.
In addition to Senators Capito and Graham, the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2023 is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).
“Burglaries of gun dealerships continue to rise, which is why we must put solutions forward that deter these would-be criminals from committing these robberies and endangering our communities. I’m proud to support this legislation that implements swift and strong penalties for these crimes, and further protects our communities,” Senator Capito said.
The FFL Protection Act of 2023:
- Increases the statutory maximum penalty for knowingly stealing any firearm in an FFL’s business inventory from 10 to 20 years.
- Imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years for burglary from an FFL and 5 years for robbery from an FFL.
- Criminalizes the attempted theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector.
The legislation is supported by the National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF).
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