Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in reintroducing the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2021 to address the rapid increase in the number of “smash-and-grab” thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers by toughening penalties for offenders.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has reported a 43 percent increase in the number of FFL burglaries and a 15 percent decrease in the number of FFL robberies from 2019 to 2020. While the number of robberies decreased, the number of firearms taken during robberies increased by 53 percent. In 2020, 6,269 firearms were taken in nationwide FFL burglaries and robberies.
“Criminals who target licensed firearms dealers need to be held accountable and face strong penalties. I’m proud to support this legislation so we can safeguard our communities and prevent the possession of illegal firearms,” Boozman said.
“Democrats are determined to restrict Second Amendment rights for law-abiding gun owners but haven’t taken action to hold criminals accountable,” Cotton said. “Violent crime is rising and criminals, especially those who steal firearms, must face serious consequences.”
“I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation to make ‘smash-and-grabs’ more costly for criminals,” said Graham. “I believe in responsible gun ownership – not criminals stealing firearms.”
The FFL Protection Act of 2021:
- 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.
In addition to Boozman and Cotton, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).