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Sen. Elizabeth Warren and several Democratic lawmakers are once again taking aim at the civilian firearms market with legislation that would bar defense contractors and military-owned plants from selling certain firearms and ammunition to the public.
The proposal, called the Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act, was reintroduced in the Senate by Warren and Andy Kim and in the House by Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin.
The bill would prohibit Department of Defense contractors and military-owned manufacturing plants from selling what sponsors describe as “military-grade assault weapons and ammunition” into the civilian market.
Elizabeth Warren: "Here we are well into the second week, and it is still the case that the Trump administration cannot explain the reasons we entered this war, the goals we're trying to accomplish, and the methods we're doing that. The only part that seems clear is that while… pic.twitter.com/R94FG4vlS0
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2026
Supporters say the goal is to prevent government-linked manufacturers from supplying firearms and ammunition that later end up in criminal hands.
“Americans’ tax dollars should not be used to fuel gun violence,” Warren said in a statement announcing the legislation. “Congress must step in to keep Americans safe, and that means stopping the U.S. military and giant defense contractors from selling weapons of war to cartels, criminal groups, and mass shooters that terrorize our communities.”
The bill also attempts to reshape how companies that hold Pentagon contracts operate in the commercial firearms market.
Under the proposal, contractors could lose eligibility for Department of Defense work if they sell restricted firearms or ammunition to civilians. It would also require those companies to ensure commercial dealers meet certain conditions. Such as maintaining a low number of crime-gun traces and screening customers before selling to them.
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In addition, the legislation would require government-owned plants to report commercial sales to Congress and outline plans to prevent diversion into illegal markets. The Department of Defense would also be required to disclose what firearms contractors sell and how much revenue those companies receive from Pentagon contracts.
Democrats backing the measure argue the bill is necessary to address what they call the “flow of weapons of war” into civilian communities.
But the firearms industry says the legislation misunderstands how the system actually works. Particularly when it comes to ammo produced at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.
Mark Oliva, managing director of public affairs for National Shooting Sports Foundation, told GunsAmerica the proposal could have unintended consequences for national defense.
“This isn’t the first time anti-gun Democrats have attempted to eliminate commercial sale of ammunition,” Oliva said. “These attempts risk the military readiness of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, to which the U.S. Army has credited for its ability to keep the warfighter supplied with necessary ammunition needed to defend our nation.”
Oliva added that commercial sales help keep production lines active and the skilled workforce in place so the facility can rapidly scale during wartime demand.
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“Commercial utilization enables the Army to ensure the readiness of not just the machinery needed to produce ammunition but also the funds for the necessary skilled labor to keep the plant in peak operation so there are no gaps in military readiness,” he said. “As a veteran who fought in wars with ammunition supplied by Lake City, it is reassuring that the firearm and ammunition industry and the U.S. military have the wisdom to properly invest in readiness.”
The bill has drawn support from gun-control groups including Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady Campaign, Giffords, and March for Our Lives.
Whether the legislation gains traction in Congress remains unclear. Similar proposals in the past have struggled to advance, particularly in a divided legislature where 2A issues often become political footballs.
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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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We need to do it the other way around. Any restrictions placed on the general public need to be applied to law enforcement and the military – no exceptions. Maybe then the Demoncrats will knock this crap off.
Bought and paid for by big pharma, her opinion means nothing to me.
Democrats: okay with Iranian Islamists having nuclear weapons. NOT okay with law-abiding Americans keeping and bearing arms.
Well, this is just more proof that “Pocahontas” Warren isn’t a real Native American, because a real Native American would understand what happens when the government tries to restrict guns and ammo from getting into the hands of ordinary people!
Lie-A-Watha wiII dance on the hot coaIs in Hades.
I find it amusing that a lot of politicians and civilians do not understand “military grade”. As a retired member of the military it means a mass produced product made by the lowest bidder. It is not something to always means the best quality. Ammo is no exception as reloading your own will give you the opportunity for better accuracy, consistency and reliability. My personal belief is buying bulk government surplus is a cheap alternative for a range day to practice drills that don’t require accuracy but do allow for creating muscle memory for a repetitive maneuver. I always zero my tools with rounds that I am going to carry and use for their intended purpose.
Does Pocahontas even know what military grade is? With The exception of a weapon being full auto… Military grade means nothing more than it meets certain production parameters for longevity and an unwritten guarantee this weapon isn’t going to fail under certain conditions. As far as the ammo goes… What is that? With the exception of M855, the civilians have better ammunition than the military does considering they’re not allowed to use hollow point.
What am I missing?
I agree with Sen. Warren, Americans’ tax dollars should not be used to fuel gun violence. Senators such as she should not be paid, because it’s politicians like her that support and push catch and release of repeat offenders, the very people that turn around and commit most of the violent crime in the country.
“The bill has drawn support from gun-control groups including Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady Campaign, Giffords, and March for Our Lives.”
And that’s all we need to know to tell us it should be opposed by any and all means.
There’s that term again, “military grade.” Mil-spec is the only term that has a real discernable meaning. Word to Warren and the chirpy lefty on this MB, not all AR parts are mil-spec some parts would fail to meet mil-spec, some might exceed that specific standard. Some high-quality custom ARs like Daniel Defense often exceed the specification requirements outlined in the United States Military Technical Data Package (TDP).
As far as ammo, the Geneva Convention has long placed restrictions on ammo. For over 10 years now, there has been changes in what NATO will allow troops to carry as the FMJ has given way to some HP, still far less energy transfer many types of civilian ammo would be beyond what the GC will allow.
Military grade is a meaningless misnomer that idiots will use over and over again.
Kane, how many parts interchange between AR-15 pattern rifles and M16s? How many times have you heard some hillbilly boast about knowing how to take a paperclip and… (I don’t need to finish that statement and you know why). De-milled or even civilian AKs are even easier. These are weapons of war adapted to comply with outmoded firearm laws that lag behind innovation. True, weapons of war is not a legal term but it is an easily understood description.
Modern gun stores have racks filled with ARs and other so-called MSRs made by companies that this rule would not affect because they don’t do business with the US military or Department of War (eyeroll emoteji here). Congress carries the power of the purse. Every federal dollar and contract and tax break grant carries all kinds of strings. Elizabeth Warren is just doing what Congress is supposed to do. This is how government shapes society – from raising the drinking age to 21 to getting churches out of politics.
I would like to know more about these government owned ammo manufacturers. Do they make .303 Savage ammo?
Have you ever watched “Breaker Morant”? That court room seen with Ed Woodward, “…we applied rule 303…” Some years ago, a pal of mine bought an Enfield MK? that had been unissued and stored in Canada for decades, new old stock. He quickly traded it for some radio equipment; wish I knew he wanted to move the Enfield.
That Enfield was a military rifle or as you say, “a weapon of war” that was at times used to kill people in violation of the “rules of land warfare” countless times. Same with the 1911, etc. Like most military firearms the engineered clearances are intentionally greater than the top quality of the civilian market. The take aways, killers will always pose a threat despite the misguided bans, military firearms and civilian firearms have always shared features, there is no such thing as separate grades. This fact would be highlighted by the surplus markets that still exist today.
BTW, you were not the SN I was referring to in the above post, that guy recently was making some justification for the bogus term “military grade.” I am OK with people like that person walking around and using bogus terms, I will not bother put that one on the correct path. What bothers me is when law makers cannot get the terminology correct. Warren and the like probably mix up weapons grade uranium and come up with the bogus term, or they are just being dishonest. Terminology is important, especially in the legal sense.
As far as your question on the AR, let’s consider the A2. I am not a trained gunsmith, so would defer to anyone who is trained. Still, I have worked quite a bit with both the civilian and military versions. My guess is that the stock, buffer tube, release pin, spring, sling stud, cleaning equipment door hinge etc. would easily swap out. Moving to the slip ring all the way forward to the flash suppressor, gas’s tube, barrel, handguards should all swap out. The front sight will usually not match up with a different barrel though so keep the factory pieces together. The trickier questions would be with the upper receiver. Somethings like the firing pin, bolt release, safety, forward assist should be compatible, if not identical. The incompatibles would be some or all aspects of the bolt, carrier group and the receiver itself. Not sure where you are going with that question, but I answered.
Warren will always have the most extreme intentions behind her incremental objectives. I have a M1- Carbine produced by juke box maker Rock Ola under government contract WWII. The government reach and restrictions on commerce tied to government contracts would be massive and Warren’s comment, “…used to fuel gun violence” are disingenuous.
Did you think I was looking for .303 British ammo? You can find .303 British ammo, they still make it. .303 Savage, for the Savage 99, that chambering was discontinued sometime around 1950 and the ammo hasn’t been made (by any major manufacturer – I reckon some boutique brands might have) since around 1980. A lesser man might take this opportunity to attack your reading comprehension and educational background but I like to think that I don’t live like grace has been cancelled. .303 Savage is a pretty obscure cartridge for a rifle that was not really designed for conflict but I think I remember some having made their way into the US/Mexico border conflicts of the early 20th century. I did have a British Enfield once upon a time, it had the crest of King George V and pretty low digit serial number (letter followed by three digits, the first of which was 1). I had a Mosin Nagant with a two-digit serial number as well. But, long gone now. I am gobsmacked to think how much those are worth now.
My point about the interchangeability of parts between the AR-15 and M16 is that they are the same rifle, with a few parts different to allow or stop fully automatic fire, some of that very American ingenuity to get around the spirit of the law by following the letter of the law.
I cannot say that I am familiar with Breaker Morant. Which again – .303 Savage is not .303 British. A quick google search suggests that Ned Kelly is cooler anyways.
Under Elizabeth Warren’s law, Rock-Ola would not be able to manufacture… small arms… for the civilian market. Oh boy – you got me there! What about IBM or International Harvester and Binder or Remington Typewriters?
No experience with .303 Savage but it does seem to be readily available online by some current manufacturers at more than $2.25 per round. Was the Savage Model 1899 the only firearm in that caliber? No thanks, not something I would be interested in shooting that rifle, at that cost. I would have just collected the Enfield after maybe putting a few rounds down range. I don’t hunt, most of my firearms are cowboy, military/police, black powder CW and .22 rifles and pistols. I am pretty sure I have close too or over 100 firearms. Many are various models of the same gun as in my Ruger MKI-IV standards and 22/45 collection including a MK III Volquartsen, 3 1911’s still want to get a Colt CQB (yeah, there might be better 1911) several Vaqueros, 2 Remington 700 (M40s) that’s just what I would disclose. I like what I like, not big on hunting rifles with glossy wooden stocks.
Since you were an FFL, I am sure many firearms flowed through your claws including the Carcano. I have disclosed my educational background and views on that field pretty clearly. As I remember, you claimed to be a man who learned in the real world and now you sound like bipolar lefty guy that talked about education but would never disclose his educational background. Sure, you wanna be like that guy?
Yes, I agree the civilian models are close to the military models. As I remember, you are a fan of the 1911, I also seen to recall something about the US Military developing that that automatic firearm and cartridge to decisively stop Tausug guerillas in battles in the jungle as a “weapon of war.” Got a .45? Tisk tisk…
Really, you have to watch “Breaker Morant” (scape goats of an Empire). A young Brad Brown is also in the film as a brash Aussie. I think he married Rachel Ward. Another good Aussie film is “Gallipoli” with a young Mel Gibson. I saw the Ned Kelly film with Mick Jager, not anywhere close to those films with no acting skill and with his upper middle class “Mockney” accent. “Were the Kellys.”
You don’t like those two 1980’s Aussie films, that will tell me all I need to know about you BD.
Kane, you misunderstand me. My comment about education was a swipe at dacian and his ad-hominem attack style, not at you. I have argued with you often enough to know that you are not lacking in reading comprehension. Truly, that particular comment was not a swipe aimed at you.
I gave up my FFL because I was doing so few transfers that it was not worth paying the fee anymore. I was doing fewer transfers because I was becoming more reluctant to transfer black rifles and tupperware pistols and ghetto blasters. It was a longtime, gradual shift.
I only ever owned one Carcano – did I tell you about that? 7.35, it might as well have been a jackhandle. I only ever found one box of ammo for it, in a Lubbock pawn shop – so help me, $100 for 20 rounds. That was more than I paid for the gun! That pawn shop was bought out by a chain years ago but it would not surprise me to learn that box of ammo was still there.
I wasn’t even thinking about the Ned Kelly movie. I haven’t seen that in forever. I meant the characters, Ned Kelly the Australian… bandit? Revolutionary? Legend.
I used to hunt a lot more. I used to have a lot more hunting rifles too. There used to be an art to firearm design but like so many things, art devolved into clip art. Gun racks are as devoid of humanity and soul today as are our clip-art strip malls.
For the record – BS in Physics, some grad school, not finished. Couple of certificates from (accredited) online schools in Biblical Studies, one certificate in Old English.
We talked about LHO and JFK and you mentioned a Carcano that you owned but the caliber was a little larger than the one that supposedly made those remarkable shots. The Italians called the Carcano the pacifist rifle since it was such a poor weapon.
An AR-15 and an M-16 bolt carrier group will easily swap between each other. The only difference is the M-16 bolt carrier has its bottom step farther forward to trip the auto sear in a full-auto gun. In fact, many home gunsmiths like the M-16 carrier for a perfectly legitimate reason: it has more mass, which can have a positive effect on cycling and reliability.
Thanks for the clarification. I wonder how the bolt carrier of the various semi-autos would differ from the select fire sears set ups.
well since everything the military buys is mill-spec i guess you better quit changing fluids in your car and the car itself or stop using your appliances since they are weapons of war!
Yes, that’s why you will never see someone talking about a military grade MRE. It just doesn’t translate.
now those were really weapons of war! i got a beef stew and franks still laying around here from the 90’s so they should still be edible.
now that they have acknowledged that there is a criminal problem how about some real penalties for criminals not slaps on the wrist!