Bill

Bill > SF2123


IA SF2123

IA SF2123
A bill for an act relating to identification markings on firearms and firearm parts, and providing penalties.


summary

Introduced
01/27/2026
In Committee
01/27/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to identification markings on firearms and firearm parts. The bill requires the department of public safety (DPS), in consultation with the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives as necessary, by December 1, 2026, to develop and maintain a system to distribute a unique serial number or other mark of identification for a firearm or unfinished frame or lower receiver intended to be a part of a firearm to any person requesting such number or mark. The bill prohibits a person from removing, defacing, altering, or obliterating the name of any maker or model, maker’s number, unique serial number, or other mark of identification on any firearm. The possession of any firearm upon which any identifying mark, number, or name has been removed, defaced, altered, or obliterated shall be prima facie evidence that the person owning or in possession of such firearm has removed, defaced, altered, or obliterated the identifying mark, number, or name. The bill prohibits a person from completing the manufacture of a firearm without subsequently obtaining a unique serial number or other mark of identification from DPS and engraving upon or permanently affixing to the firearm such serial number or other mark in a manner that conforms with federal requirements. The bill prohibits a person from transferring to another person a firearm manufactured in violation of the bill or facilitating, aiding, or abetting the manufacture of a firearm by a person or for a person who is otherwise prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing a firearm, or that a person is otherwise prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing. The prohibitions relating to the manufacture or transfer of firearms that do not have a proper identifying mark do not apply to the manufacture of a firearm manufactured using an unfinished frame or lower receiver on which a serial number or other identifying mark has been engraved or permanently affixed; to the manufacture of firearms by a federally licensed firearms manufacturer; to any antique firearm or any firearm manufactured prior to the effective date of the bill, provided such firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed; or to the delivery or transfer of a firearm to a law enforcement agency. The bill prohibits a person from selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring an unfinished frame or lower receiver that does not have a unique serial number or other mark of identification obtained pursuant to the bill. Beginning December 1, 2026, a person shall not possess an unfinished frame or lower receiver unless the person is eligible to purchase and possess a firearm under state and federal law. These provisions do not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of an unfinished frame or lower receiver between a federally licensed firearms manufacturer and a federally licensed firearms dealer, a federally licensed firearms importer and a federally licensed firearms dealer, or multiple federally licensed firearms dealers. The bill prohibits a person from manufacturing any firearm from polymer plastic that, after removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, is not as detectable as a security exemplar by walk-through metal detectors calibrated and operated to detect the security exemplar. Generally, a person who violates a provision of the bill commits a class “C” felony. However, a person who sells, delivers, or otherwise transfers an unfinished frame or lower receiver in violation of the provisions of the bill knowing that such unfinished frame or lower receiver is stolen or that the manufacturer’s number or other mark of identification on such unfinished frame or lower receiver has been altered, removed, or obliterated commits a class “B” felony. Any firearm or unfinished frame or lower receiver possessed in violation of the bill shall be forfeited to DPS. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660. A class “B” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 25 years.

AI Summary

This bill mandates the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish a system by December 1, 2026, to issue unique serial numbers or other identification marks for firearms and unfinished frames or lower receivers (parts intended to become firearm frames or receivers) to individuals who request them, after verifying their eligibility to possess firearms. It prohibits tampering with existing identification marks on firearms, making possession of a firearm with removed or altered marks prima facie evidence of guilt. The bill requires individuals manufacturing firearms to obtain and affix these unique marks, with specific exceptions for federally licensed manufacturers, antique firearms, firearms made before the bill's effective date, and transfers to law enforcement. It also prohibits the sale or transfer of unfinished frames or lower receivers without these marks and, after December 1, 2026, restricts possession of such parts to individuals eligible to own firearms. Furthermore, it prohibits the manufacture of undetectable plastic firearms. Violations are generally classified as a class "C" felony, with more severe penalties for knowingly transferring stolen or altered unfinished frames or lower receivers, which become a class "B" felony, and any illegally possessed firearms or parts are subject to forfeiture.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Subcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Bousselot. S.J. 160. (on 01/28/2026)

bill text


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