What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on HR.2189
House
233-185
PASSED
Independents
233 yea
185 nay
⚠️ 12 members broke with party on this vote
Action Timeline
2026-02-24
Received in the Senate.
2026-02-12
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-02-12
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 233 - 185 (Roll no. 70). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2190-2191)
2026-02-12
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 233 - 185 (Roll no. 70). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2190-2191)
2026-02-12
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-02-12
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2189.
2026-02-12
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2190-2204)
2026-02-12
Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H
2026-02-11
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1057 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a close
2026-02-09
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1042 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provide
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.2189 pass?
HR.2189 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: 25%.
What does HR.2189 do?
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding devic…
Who sponsored HR.2189?
HR.2189 was sponsored by Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin).
Who voted against HR.2189?
12 members broke with their party on this vote.
Full Bill Text
119 HR 2189 EH: Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2189 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes. I Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate 101. Short title This title may be cited as the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act . 102. Exemption of certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from restrictions under title 18, United States Code Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the second sentence of paragraph (3), by inserting or a less-than-lethal projectile device before the period; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (39) (A) The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that— (i) is not designed or intended to expel and may not be readily converted to accept and discharge— (I) ammunition commonly used in handguns, rifles, or shotguns; or (II) any other projectile at a velocity exceeding 500 feet per second; (ii) is designed and intended to be used in a manner that is not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (iii) does not accept, and is not able to be readily modified to accept, an ammunition feeding device— (I) loaded through the inside of a pistol grip; or (II) commonly used in semiautomatic firearms. (B) If a person requests that the Attorney General determine whether a device satisfies the definition of less-than-lethal projectile device under subparagraph (A), the Attorney General shall make the determination not later than 90 days after the date on which the Attorney General receives the device pursuant to the request. . II Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization 201. Short title This title may be cited as the Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization Act . 202. Exemption of certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from firearms and ammunition tax (a) In general Section 4182 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e), and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: (d) Less-than-Lethal projectile devices (1) In general The tax imposed by section 4181 shall not apply to— (A) any less-than-lethal projectile device, (B) any device contained on the most recent list made available by the Secretary under paragraph (4)(B), and (C) any shell or cartridge that meets the requirement of paragraph (2)(B) and is designed for use in a device referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B). (2) Less-than-lethal projectile device The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that— (A) is not designed or intended to expel, and may not be readily converted to accept and discharge— (i) ammunition commonly used in handguns, rifles, or shotguns, or (ii) any other projectile at a velocity exceeding 500 feet per second, (B) is designed and intended to be used in a manner that is not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, and (C) does not accept, and is not able to be readily modified to accept, ammunition feeding devices— (i) loaded through the inside of a pistol grip, or (ii) commonly used in semiautomatic firearms. (3) Request for classification Pursuant to a request made by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of a device for a determination as to whether such device satisfies the requirements under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make such determination not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of such request. (4) Annual review of new and emerging technologies (A) List of less-than-lethal projectile devices The Secretary shall make publicly available a list of devices that the Secretary has determined are described in paragraph (2) and shall update such list annually to take into account new devices. (B) List of non-lethal devices the projectiles of which exceed 500 feet per second (i) In general The Secretary shall— (I) make publicly available a list of devices that the Secretary has determined are not described in paragraph (2) but would be so described if such paragraph were applied without regard to subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof, and (II) update such list annually to take into account new devices. (ii) Report to Congress The Secretary shall annually submit a written report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate regarding the annual list of devices described in clause (i), including a copy of such list, a description of the devices that were considered for inclusion on such list, and the reasons for including or excluding such devices from such list. . (b) Effective date (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Requests for determinations Section 4182(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) shall apply to requests received after the date of the enactment of this Act, except that any request under such section which is received during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be treated for purposes of such section as received as of the close of such period. 203. Exemption of certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from National Firearms Act Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking an antique firearm or and inserting any antique firearm, any less-than-lethal projectile device (as defined in section 4182(d)(2)), any device referred to in section 4182(d)(1)(B), or . Passed the House of Representatives February 12, 2026. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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