PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Juvenile Misuse of Firearms Prevention Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 10, 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Short Title Title II: Restricting Juvenile Access to Certain Firearms Title III: Enhanced Penalties for Federal Crimes Involving Firearms Title IV: Providing Incentives to States that Prosecute Juveniles as Adults for Certain Offenses Involving Firearms Title I: Short Title - Juvenile Misuse of Firearms Prevention Act. Title II: Restricting Juvenile Access to Certain Firearms - Revises the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the Act) to expand the scope of provisions regarding juvenile use and possession of handguns and ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun to include semiautomatic assault weapons. Provides enhanced penalties for juveniles who violate the prohibition against the sale, delivery, or other transfer to a person, who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile, of a handgun, ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun, or a semiautomatic assault weapon, and for adults who knowingly violate such prohibition, particularly in relation to use of the handgun by the juvenile in the commission of a violent felony. Subjects the juvenile to the same laws, rules, and proceedings regarding sentencing that would be applicable in the case of an adult, with exceptions. Prohibits a juvenile sentenced to a term of imprisonment from being released from custody simply because the juvenile reaches age 18. Makes an exemption regarding the temporary transfer of a handgun, ammunition, or semiautomatic assault weapon to, or possession or use by, a juvenile applicable only if such possession and use are in accordance with State and local law and if specified conditions are met. Specifies that a handgun, ammunition, or semiautomatic assault weapon, the possession of which is transferred to a juvenile in circumstances in which the transferor is not in violation of this title, shall not be subject to permanent confiscation by the Government if its possession by the juvenile subsequently becomes unlawful because of the juvenile's conduct. Directs the court, with respect to a violation of this title, to require the presence of a juvenile defendant's parent or legal guardian at all proceedings. Authorizes the court to: (1) use the contempt power to enforce this provision; and (2) excuse attendance of a parent or legal guardian of a juvenile defendant at a proceeding in a prosecution of a violation of this title for good cause shown. Title III: Enhanced Penalties for Federal Crimes Involving Firearms - Amends the Act to: (1) increase penalties for brandishing or discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; (2) set penalties for injuring or maiming another person through such firearm use; and (3) provide for a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for transferring a firearm, knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Title IV: Providing Incentives to States that Prosecute Juveniles As Adults For Certain Offenses Involving Firearms - Denies eligibility to receive Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds to any State that fails to demonstrate that it has in effect or has implemented (or will have in effect or will have implemented within one year from the date of application) laws, policies, or programs that provide for prosecution of juveniles as adults for specified serious offenses involving firearms.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO] · R–MO

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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

    1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    2. Introduced in Senate

    Bill text & related measures

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

    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.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    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.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze S.994 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
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine S.994 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
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine S.994 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
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine S.994 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