What Happened?

Buyers of guns and ammunition in some states could see prices fall if a bill moving through Congress becomes law. The House Judiciary Committee meets Sept. 16 to review seven bills, including one that would bar states and local governments from adding their own taxes to firearms, ammunition, and related parts.

That bill, H.R. 2442, is called the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2025. A second firearms bill, the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, would expand legal protections for gun makers, sellers, and trade groups against certain lawsuits.

The committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) as the top Democrat, will also take up five other bills covering federal prison hiring, Secret Service naming, civil rights attorney fees, immigration, and climate-related lawsuits against energy companies.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

If you buy guns or ammunition in a state that taxes those purchases, the gun tax bill could lower what you pay at the register. States and cities currently have the power to add their own taxes on top of federal ones. H.R. 2442 would remove that authority entirely.

The five other bills touch different parts of daily life:

  • Federal prisons: The BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act would let the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) skip the usual lengthy federal hiring process until each prison reaches 96 percent staffing. Understaffed prisons can affect inmate safety and staff working conditions.
  • Civil rights cases: The Restoring Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Act would change how lawyers are paid in civil rights lawsuits, which affects whether people can find attorneys to take those cases.
  • Climate lawsuits: The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act would block lawsuits against energy companies seeking money for climate-related harm.
  • Secret Service: The Officer Leslie Coffelt U.S. Secret Service Police Act would rename the agency's uniformed security force.
  • Immigration: The No Racketeers on our Shores Act would make certain foreign government officials who discriminate against American businesses ineligible to enter or stay in the country.

Both Sides, Now

Supporters of the gun tax bill argue that state and local taxes on firearms and ammunition place an unequal burden on a constitutional right. The BOP staffing bill has drawn support from federal prison workers' groups, with the American Federation of Government Employees noting it would speed up hiring at short-staffed facilities.

Opponents of the gun tax bill contend that states and cities have long used such taxes to fund public safety programs, and that removing that power limits local control. Critics of the liability expansion bill argue it could make it harder to hold gun sellers accountable in court. The source material does not include on-record statements from Democratic members on the specific bills.

Its members, both Republican and Democratic, vote on whether to send each bill to the full House for a broader vote.

What Happens Next?

The markup session, the committee meeting where members debate and vote on bills, is scheduled for Sept. 16. If a bill clears the committee, it moves to the full House floor for a vote. Passing the House would then require a Senate vote and the president's signature before any of these measures become law. No Senate hearing dates have been announced for any of the seven bills.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article