A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a fugitive from justice, a person who is addicted to, or an unlawful user of, a controlled substance, or a transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm, to increase the general penalty for a violation of Federal firearms laws, and to increase the enhanced penalties provided for the possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, and for other purposes.

Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 25, 1993

Amends the Federal criminal code to require a minimum sentence of five years' imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm by any person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year's imprisonment; (2) is a fugitive from justice; (3) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; (4) has transported in interstate commerce any stolen firearm; or (5) has received any stolen firearm. Increases from $5,000 to $10,000 and from five years to ten years the fine and term of imprisonment, respectively, for violation of Federal firearm laws. Increases the penalties for possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [D-CO] · D–CO

Committees

Judiciary Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 5, 1993
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.
Feb 25, 1993
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Feb 25, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2105)
Feb 25, 1993
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Feb 25, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.441 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.441, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a fugitive from justice, a person who is addicted to, or an unlawful user of, a controlled substance, or a transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm, to increase the general penalty for a violation of Federal firearms laws, and to increase the enhanced penalties provided for the possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/441

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s441/BILLS-103s441is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.441 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.441 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.441, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a fugitive from justice, a person who is addicted to, or an unlawful user of, a controlled substance, or a transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm, to increase the general penalty for a violation of Federal firearms laws, and to increase the enhanced penalties provided for the possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/441

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s441/BILLS-103s441is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.441 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.441 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.441, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a fugitive from justice, a person who is addicted to, or an unlawful user of, a controlled substance, or a transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm, to increase the general penalty for a violation of Federal firearms laws, and to increase the enhanced penalties provided for the possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/441

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s441/BILLS-103s441is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.441 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.441 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.441, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a fugitive from justice, a person who is addicted to, or an unlawful user of, a controlled substance, or a transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm, to increase the general penalty for a violation of Federal firearms laws, and to increase the enhanced penalties provided for the possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/441

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s441/BILLS-103s441is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.441 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.