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United States · Bill · S

S. 2180 (100th)

Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

16 March 1988

Last action

25 May 1988 · Floor

Status

Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Voice Vote.

Sponsors

Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH], Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC], Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS], Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI], Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA], Sen. Bradley, Bill [D-NJ], Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD], Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY], Sen. Pell, Claiborne [D-RI], Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT], Sen. Simon, Paul [D-IL], Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT], Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ], Sen. Gore, Albert, Jr. [D-TN], Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL], Sen. McClure, James A. [R-ID], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Wirth, Timothy [D-CO], Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY], Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV], Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE], Sen. Trible, Paul S., Jr. [R-VA], Sen. Durenberger, Dave [R-MN], Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI], Sen. Bentsen, Lloyd M. [D-TX], Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI], Sen. Wilson, Pete [R-CA], Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

10 August 2026

Official sourceView documentsShare

Summary

Firearms Detection Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, assemble, import, sell, possess, receive, ship, or deliver any firearm which is not: (1) as detectable as the Minimum Standard Security Exemplar, after removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, by walk-through metal detectors commonly used at U.S. airports; or (2) impregnated with barium sulfate, or a similar compound, to facilitate detectability by cabinet x-ray systems. Defines the term "Minimum Security Standard Exemplar" to mean a firearm substitute used for testing that resembles a revolver, is made of stainless steel, and weighs four ounces. States that nothing in this Act shall require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar as an FAA detection standard. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors and airport security x-ray systems. Allows the Secretary, when appropriate because of changed technology, to submit proposed legislation to amend the definition of Minimum Security Standard Exemplar. Directs the Administrator of the FAA, the Director of the Secret Service, and the Director of the Marshals Service to conduct a study to identify available equipment capable of detecting the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects. Provides increased criminal penalties for using or carrying an undetectable firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 16 March 1988

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 16 March 1988

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 28 March 1988

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.

    Source: Committee

  4. 10 May 1988

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Constitution. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  5. 12 May 1988

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 668.

    Source: Calendars

  6. 12 May 1988

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  7. 12 May 1988

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Byrd for Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  8. 18 May 1988

    Floor

    Star Print ordered S.2180.

    Source: Floor

  9. 25 May 1988

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

3 official files

Leesvertaling

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  • Indefinitely postponed in Senate

    summary · EN · 25 May 1988

    Open at official source

  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 12 May 1988

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 16 March 1988

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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