Bill Summary
The "Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act" is a piece of legislation that authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to state, tribal, and local governments, as well as law enforcement agencies, to support firearm destruction activities. The primary goal of this Act is to facilitate the safe and complete destruction of firearms and their components, thereby promoting public safety.
Key provisions include:
1. **Grant Program**: The Attorney General will award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities that apply, detailing how they will utilize the funds for firearm destruction.
2. **Application Requirements**: Applicants must provide a plan for firearm destruction, details about community partners, certification of complete destruction of firearms, and record-keeping commitments.
3. **Subgrant Opportunities**: Grantees are required to distribute subgrants to local governments or law enforcement agencies, promoting collaboration at various levels of government.
4. **Funding and Duration**: Grants will last for two years, with a total of $15 million allocated annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2031. A portion of the funds is specifically reserved for small urban and rural areas.
5. **Use of Funds**: Funds can be used for purchasing destruction equipment, contracting destruction services, and training personnel involved in firearm destruction, while limiting administrative costs to 10% of the grant.
Overall, the Act aims to enhance community safety by supporting effective and responsible firearm destruction practices.
Possible Impacts
The "Restoring Trust in Public Safety Act" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Enhanced Community Safety**: By providing funding for firearm destruction activities, the legislation aims to reduce the number of firearms in circulation. This could lead to a decrease in gun-related crimes and accidents, thereby enhancing overall community safety. Residents may feel more secure knowing that efforts are being made to eliminate unwanted or illegal firearms in their areas.
2. **Economic Impact on Local Governments**: The grants awarded to state, tribal, and local governments can enable them to allocate resources toward firearm destruction programs. This could create jobs and stimulate local economies through contracts with businesses that provide firearm destruction services. Additionally, training programs funded by the grants may enhance the skills of law enforcement personnel, contributing to better job performance and community relations.
3. **Engagement of Community Organizations**: The legislation encourages collaboration between eligible entities and community partners. This could foster a sense of community engagement and responsibility as local organizations work together to address firearm-related issues. Communities might see a stronger coalition of citizens and organizations advocating for public safety, creating a more proactive approach to managing firearms and gun violence locally.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6769 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6769
To authorize the Attorney General to make grants available to support
State, Tribal, and local firearm destruction activities, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 16, 2025
Ms. Tokuda (for herself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr.
Moskowitz, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Case, Mr. Magaziner, Ms.
Garcia of Texas, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Tlaib, and Mr. Garcia of Illinois)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Attorney General to make grants available to support
State, Tribal, and local firearm destruction activities, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Restoring Trust in Public Safety
Act''.
SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General may make grants to an
eligible entity for activities related to firearm destruction. For
purposes of this section, the term ``eligible entity'' means a State,
Tribal government, or unit of local government, or any law enforcement
agency thereof.
(b) Program Authorized.--Not later than 180 days after such amounts
are appropriated, the Attorney General shall award grants, on a
competitive basis, to eligible entities whose applications are approved
under subsection (c) to assist such applicants in firearm destruction.
(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Attorney
General at such time and containing such information as the Attorney
General may reasonably require, including--
(1) a description of how the applicant will use the grant
to carry out firearm destruction;
(2) a description of community partners and organizations
contracted by or working with the eligible entity and their
roles in supporting a State or Tribal government or a unit of
local government's programs and initiatives related to the
acquisition, disposal, or destruction of a firearm or firearm
parts;
(3) certification that funds awarded to the applicant will
be used to destroy firearms fully, including all parts and
components; and
(4) certification that the applicant will make and maintain
records on the firearms and firearm parts that are destroyed.
(d) Subgrants.--States, Tribal governments, and units of local
government that are grantees shall award subgrants to units of local
government or law enforcement agencies thereof. A unit of local
government or law enforcement agency thereof seeking a subgrant that
does not receive a grant under this Act may submit an application to
the chief executive of the grantee that is substantially similar to the
application prescribed by the Attorney General.
(e) Grant Duration.--The duration of a grant awarded to an eligible
entity under this section shall be two years.
(f) Proof of Firearm Destruction.--The Attorney General shall
require that a grantee or subgrantee develop and maintain a written
policy on the destruction of firearms and other weapons including,
without limitation, policies for identifying firearms and other weapons
that are determined to be destroyed, keeping records of those firearms
and other weapons and provide documented proof of firearm destruction.
The Attorney General shall by rule establish acceptable forms of
documented proof of destruction.
(g) Use of Funds.--A grantee may use the grant for firearm
destruction and related activities, including the following:
(1) The purchase or maintenance of equipment used for
firearm destruction, including tools used to smelt, crush, cut,
or shred a firearm and components of a firearm.
(2) Contracts with businesses that offer firearm
destruction services, provided that they fully destroy the
firearm, including all parts, components, and accessories of
such firearms.
(3) The training of staff in firearm destruction.
(h) Administrative Costs.--An eligible entity shall use not more
than 10 percent of such funds for the administrative costs of carrying
out the grant program under this Act.
(i) Small Urban and Rural Preference.--In awarding grants, under
this Act, the Attorney General shall set aside one-third of the total
appropriated funding for grants to applicants representing a
Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the Office of Management
and Budget) or rural area.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to
carry out this Act.
(k) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth,
territory, or possession of the United States.
(2) Tribal government.--The term ``Tribal government''
means the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe.
(3) Firearm destruction.--The term ``firearm destruction''
means to destroy a firearm or other weapon in its entirety by
smelting, shredding, crushing, or cutting and shall include all
parts including, without limitation, the frame or receiver,
barrel, bolt, and grip of a firearm, as applicable, and any
attachments including, but not limited to, a sight, scope,
silencer, or suppressor, as applicable.
<all>