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A proposed federal law would classify many high-powered airguns as firearms under the Gun Control Act. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms calls the idea an “extremist” overreaction.
Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., introduced Garrett’s Law after the death of constituent Garrett Edwards. According to Mullin, Edwards was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm but purchased a high-powered airgun online during a mental health crisis. He later died by suicide.
Mullin argues that airguns powerful enough to kill should face the same federal rules as conventional firearms. The proposal has received support from GIFFORDS and March for Our Lives.
What Would Garrett’s Law Cover?
The bill would add qualifying “lethal air guns” to the federal definition of a firearm.
The draft specifically covers:
- .177-caliber airguns firing at least 800 feet per second
- .22-caliber airguns firing at least 500 feet per second
- .25-caliber airguns firing at least 450 feet per second
- Airguns firing any metallic pellet larger than .25 caliber
The attorney general could also designate other airguns as lethal through rulemaking.
Paintball guns that exclusively fire paint-filled projectiles would be excluded. Mullin’s announcement also says nonlethal airsoft guns would remain outside the law.
If enacted, the classification would place covered airguns under ATF jurisdiction. Manufacturers would need federal licenses and would face serialization and recordkeeping requirements. Retail purchases would also become subject to the federal background-check process.
The changes would take effect 850 days after enactment. The attorney general would have one year to issue compliance guidance.
CCRKBA Calls It an Overreaction
CCRKBA Executive Director Andrew Gottlieb said the legislation exploits a personal tragedy to justify nationwide restrictions.
“Airguns are not firearms, they should not be treated like firearms, and people who want to own them should not be treated like criminals,” Gottlieb said.
The organization argues that airguns have long served as an entry point for young shooters learning safe handling and marksmanship. It also contends that the proposal would burden lawful owners while failing to address the mental health problems behind the case.
Gottlieb said Mullin should focus on improving mental health services instead of expanding federal firearm regulations.
“We don’t want to trivialize what Garrett Edwards did, but we don’t want to see his tragedy exploited, either,” he added.
A Much Broader Reach
Garrett’s Law would not cover every BB gun or air-powered replica. However, its velocity thresholds would capture many commonly available pellet rifles.
That could bring a sizable portion of the modern airgun market under the same federal framework governing conventional firearms.
Supporters describe that as closing a dangerous loophole. CCRKBA sees it as another attempt to steadily expand federal gun control beyond firearms using gunpowder.
The bill now faces a long road through Congress, but the disagreement is already clear. The debate is no longer simply about whether powerful airguns can cause fatal injuries. It is whether that justifies treating their manufacturers, sellers and buyers like participants in the traditional firearm market.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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