PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Oct 3, 1996
Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding using or carrying a firearm, and using or carrying a firearm while in possession of armor piercing ammunition capable of being fired in that firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime to make penalties under such provisions applicable to possessing a firearm under such circumstances. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission: (1) to review and, if appropriate, amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements of the Commission to enhance the sentence of any defendant who discharges a firearm during or in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; and (2) in carrying out such provision, to ensure that there is reasonable consistency with other Federal sentencing guidelines, avoid duplicative punishment for substantially the same offense, and take into account any mitigating circumstances that might justify an exception.
People & committees
Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R–NC
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S12390)
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1976-1977)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1612 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1612 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1612 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1612 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.