New 'Destroy Zombie Guns Act' Mandates Full Firearm Destruction, Sets Penalties for Businesses

Alright, let's talk about something that sounds straight out of a movie but has some real-world impact: the 'Destroy Zombie Guns Act.' This isn't about fighting the undead, but about making sure that when a firearm is supposed to be destroyed, it's actually destroyed, down to every last piece. No more Frankenstein guns cobbled together from forgotten parts.

No More Half-Measures: What the Bill Demands

This bill, officially called the "Destroy Zombie Guns Act," is pretty straightforward. It's setting up new federal rules for any business that's in the game of destroying firearms. The big takeaway? If you're destroying a gun that's been shipped across state lines or internationally, you have to destroy every single component. No exceptions. This isn't a suggestion; it's a new legal requirement, specifically added as subsection (aa) to 18 U.S.C. 922. Think of it like recycling an old car: you don't just take off the tires and call it a day; you scrap the whole thing so it can't be put back on the road.

Who's On the Hook? Defining 'The Business'

So, who exactly does this apply to? The bill spells out what it means to be "engaged in the business" of firearm destruction. It's not for your buddy who occasionally takes a sledgehammer to an old rifle in his backyard. This is for folks who are regularly devoting their time, attention, and labor to destroying firearms or their parts as a trade, with the clear goal of making a profit from those services. This definition is being tucked into 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(21) as a new subparagraph (G). It’s designed to target the professional outfits, ensuring they follow the rules, not just casual destruction.

The Cost of Cutting Corners: Penalties Explained

If a business doesn't follow these new destruction rules, there are some serious consequences. For starters, anyone who violates this law could face fines, up to two years in prison, or both. That's on top of any other penalties they might already be looking at under existing law (18 U.S.C. 924(a)(2)).

But it gets tougher for licensed firearm dealers or manufacturers. If they mess up the destruction process the first time, the Attorney General can suspend their license after a hearing. A second violation? Their license is immediately revoked. This isn't just a slap on the wrist; for a business owner, losing that license means their livelihood is gone. It's a clear signal that the feds are serious about making sure these firearms are truly out of commission and can't be pieced back together for illicit use.