WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, H.R. 4242, the Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization Act, passed out of the House Committee on Ways and Means and now advances to the House Floor for consideration. The legislation modernizes federal firearms tax law to account for advancements in de-escalation and less-than-lethal technology, ensuring lifesaving devices remain accessible to law enforcement and the public while keeping our communities safe.

Current law states many less-than-lethal devices are still classified and taxed as “firearms,” creating regulatory inconsistencies and higher costs that can slow adoption and continued innovation of life-saving devices. H.R. 4242 updates the Internal Revenue Code so that devices designed not to cause death or serious bodily injury—such as new low-velocity, non-lethal projectile systems—are no longer taxed under the National Firearms Act or the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) said: “Imposing undue regulatory burdens on the use of innovative, nonlethal safety devices will only mean they are less likely to be available and less likely to be used in instances where they could protect life. Under the Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization Act, Congress has the opportunity to reduce that burden and clean up an obviously outdated and misguided part of our tax code. Congressman Schweikert is to be commended for continuing to champion this commonsense solution to ensure that less-than-lethal technology is available to those who need it.”

Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), the bill’s sponsor, said: “We should encourage new technology that reduces the need for deadly force. Aligning the tax code with modern devices allows law enforcement and communities to benefit from safer tools while keeping the focus on innovation, not red tape. This is a practical fix that strengthens public safety and supports the development of next-generation, less-than-lethal technology.”

The bill requires the Treasury to issue clear classifications of less-than-lethal devices, publish annual reviews of emerging technology, and ensure manufacturers can receive timely determinations within 90 days.

More information on the bill can be found here.

Full bill text can be found here.