Responsible Firearms Marketing Act

Bill: 118-s-1737
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2023-05-18
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Firearms and explosives

Marketing and advertising
Latest action: action_date: 2023-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-05-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Responsible Firearms Marketing Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on potentially unfair or deceptive practices that may be prevalent in the advertising or marketing of firearms.</p> <p>Additionally, the commission must issue regulations prohibiting such practices, and the bill provides for enforcement by the commission.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1737 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 18, 2023 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Markey , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Welch , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Padilla , Mrs. Feinstein , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Warren , Mr. Reed , Mr. Sanders , and Mr. Whitehouse ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on unfair or deceptive acts or practices that may be prevalent in the advertising or marketing of firearms and to issue regulations to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices related to the advertising or marketing of firearms, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Responsible Firearms Marketing Act . 2. Unfair or deceptive acts or practices related to the advertising or marketing of firearms (a) Study and report by the Federal Trade Commission (1) Study (A) In general The Commission shall conduct a study, using the Commission’s authority under section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 46(b) ), regarding the advertising or marketing of firearms. Such study shall identify potentially unfair or deceptive acts or practices that may be prevalent in such advertising or marketing, as well as any other information determined appropriate by the Commission. (B) Considerations In conducting the study under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall consider— (i) advertising or marketing materials that may— (I) be designed to appeal to individuals who are younger than 18 years of age; or (II) imply or encourage illegal use of the advertised or marketed product; and (ii) advertising or marketing of semiautomatic assault weapons. (2) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with such recommendations for legislation or administrative action as the Commission determines appropriate. (3) Exemption from Paperwork Reduction Act Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to the collection of information under paragraph (1). (b) Regulations (1) In general Not later than 18 months after submitting the report required by subsection (a)(2), the Commission shall promulgate regulations under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to prohibit any manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms from engaging in any unfair or deceptive act or practice related to the advertising or marketing of firearms. (2) Requirements In promulgating regulations under paragraph (1), the Commission shall address— (A) unfair or deceptive advertising or marketing that— (i) may be designed to appeal to individuals who are younger than 18 years of age; (ii) may imply or encourage illegal use of the advertised or marketed product; or (iii) relates to the sale of semiautomatic assault weapons; and (B) any other unfair or deceptive acts or practices related to the advertising or marketing of firearms by manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms. (c) Enforcement (1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices A violation of a regulation promulgated under subsection (b) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B) ). (2) Powers of the Commission (A) In general The Commission shall enforce the regulations promulgated under subsection (b) in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. ) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. (B) Privileges and immunities Any person who violates a regulation promulgated under subsection (b) shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. ). (C) Authority preserved Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. (2) Firearm; importer; manufacturer; dealer The terms firearm , importer , manufacturer , and dealer have the meanings given such terms in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code.