HB 40: Plastic firearms or receivers, etc.; transfer, etc., prohibited, penalties.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Manufacture, importation, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms prohibited; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who knowingly manufactures or assembles, imports, purchases, sells, transfers, or possesses any firearm that, after removal of all parts other than a major component, as defined in the bill, is not detectable as a firearm when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports, government buildings, schools, correctional facilities, and other locations for security screening. The bill updates language regarding the types of detection devices that are used at such locations for detecting plastic firearms. Under current law, it is unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, transfer, or possess any plastic firearm and a violation is punishable as a Class 5 felony. The bill also creates a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, for any person to knowingly possess a firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or receiver that is not imprinted with a valid serial number or to knowingly import, purchase, sell, offer for sale, or transfer ownership of any completed or unfinished frame or receiver, unless the completed or unfinished frame or receiver (i) is deemed to be a firearm pursuant to federal law and (ii) is imprinted with a valid serial number. The bill also creates a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, for any person to manufacture or assemble, cause to be manufactured or assembled, import, purchase, sell, offer for sale, or transfer ownership of any firearm that is not imprinted with a valid serial number. The provisions of the bill prohibiting unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027; however, the provisions of the bill prohibiting the knowing possession of a firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or receiver that is not imprinted with a valid serial number have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. This bill is identical to SB 323.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 10

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 10, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0531)
2. April 10, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter531 (Effective - see bill)
3. March 14, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
4. March 14, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
5. March 12, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. March 11, 2026Signed by President
7. March 11, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB40)
8. March 11, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB40ER)
9. March 11, 2026Enrolled
10. March 4, 2026Senate substitute agreed to by House (64-Y 32-N 0-A)
11. March 2, 2026Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
12. March 2, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

Showing 12 most recent of 35 actions. Full history