Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act
Plain Language Summary
# Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill removes certain less-than-lethal weapons—like TASERs and similar devices—from federal gun regulations. Currently, these devices are regulated under the Gun Control Act, but the bill would exempt them. It also requires the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to decide whether a device qualifies as "less-than-lethal" within 90 days when asked. **Who It Affects:** Law enforcement agencies, manufacturers of non-lethal devices, and potentially civilians could be affected.
The bill aims to make it easier for police to access de-escalation tools by reducing regulatory barriers, though it may also affect how these devices are distributed or used more broadly. **Key Provision:** The bill defines a "less-than-lethal projectile device" as one that fires projectiles at low velocity (under 500 feet per second), isn't designed to cause death or serious injury, and cannot be converted to use regular ammunition. Devices meeting these criteria would no longer be treated as firearms under federal law. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting action in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate ActThis bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act.The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device.The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.