New Legislation Aims to Limit Online Ammo Sales

On Friday, Representatives Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) reintroduced a bill designed to limit the online sale of ammunition.

The proposed legislation, known as the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, would mandate that federally licensed ammo retailers verify the identity of buyers online using photo ID. Additionally, it would require sellers to report any sales exceeding 1,000 rounds to the U.S. Attorney General within five days, especially if the buyer isn’t a licensed seller.

“The ongoing mass shooting crisis has not subsided since we last brought this up. We’ve been witnessing this wave of violence for years, largely due to assault weapons and large quantities of ammunition falling into the wrong hands,” Mfume remarked regarding the bill. He emphasized, “We cannot expect gun violence to just cease, and we shouldn’t be waiting for the next tragedy to strike.”

Congresswoman Coleman added, “Limiting online sales of ammunition is a sensible step towards addressing the mass shooting issue we face annually. This legislation addresses a loophole that can lead to heartbreaking events. In an environment without proper regulations, public safety needs to come before convenience. It’s our responsibility to protect the American people, not to grieve them.”

The bill has garnered support from 17 co-sponsors.