Press Releases

Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) have introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for ten years.

The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 was first introduced after the emergence of firearms that could be undetectable by metal detectors or X-ray machines. The legislation, passed by Congress with wide bipartisan support and signed into law by then-President Ronald Reagan, prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of firearms with less than 3.7 oz of metal content. 

The law initially had a ten-year sunset clause but was renewed for five years in 1998 as a part of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act - again passing the Senate unanimously and again passing the House by a broad bipartisan vote of 391 to 25. Each subsequent renewal- in 2003, 2013, and a short-term renewal in November's bipartisan CR, garnered broad, bipartisan support.

Congressman Lawler's bill to renew this measure for another decade, H.R. 7040, builds upon his track record of supporting common sense gun safety measures as an Assemblyman in Albany and as a U.S. Congressman in Washington. A reauthorization of the Undetectable Firearms Act is supported by several major sports leagues and law enforcement organizations, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, National Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, and Major County Sheriffs of America, and more.

"The history of the Undetectable Firearms Act and its subsequent renewals shows that both parties can come together to support common sense measures that save lives," Congressman Lawler said. "We can work together to ensure citizens are safe and that's what this legislation does. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to get this critical bill passed."

"Current regulations requiring firearms to be identifiable by metal detectors – a measure that promotes public safety – are set to expire," Congresswoman Dean said. "The Undetectable Firearms Reauthorization Act bill would extend this bipartisan rule and allow us to continue enforcing laws already on the books to prevent violence. I am grateful to Rep. Lawler for his partnership on this crucial legislation to preserve this essential tool for community law enforcement to keep our towns, municipals, and cities safe.”

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.