Rep. Kevin Mullin's Garrett's Law would classify high-powered air guns as federally regulated firearms
California Congressman Kevin Mullin introduced legislation that would fundamentally change how the federal government treats air guns. Garrett's Law would reclassify certain high-powered air guns as "firearms" under federal law, bringing them under ATF jurisdiction and regulation. The bill targets air guns capable of firing projectiles at velocities high enough to cause serious injury or death.
This move directly affects gun owners who use air guns for hunting, sport shooting, and pest control. Currently, most air guns fall outside federal firearms regulations. If passed, the law would force owners of qualifying air guns to navigate the same federal requirements as traditional firearms—potentially including registration, background checks, and licensing depending on final regulatory details.
The bill is named after a specific incident, signaling Mullin's intent to address what he views as a regulatory gap. Air gun technology has advanced dramatically over the past decade. Modern PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) rifles and high-powered spring-piston air guns now deliver performance comparable to rimfire cartridges. Some models shoot .30-caliber pellets at 1,000+ feet per second.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Gun owners need to pay attention to this bill's language and scope. If Garrett's Law passes, it could set a precedent for federal regulation of other currently unregulated weapons and devices. The definition of "high-powered" will determine which air guns get swept into the federal system.
For hunters and sport shooters, federal classification means potential restrictions on interstate transport, sales through FFLs, and possible ammunition regulations. Pest control operations could face compliance burdens. The cost of compliance—background checks, potential registration fees, dealer licensing—would trickle down to consumers.
This also signals broader legislative intent in Washington. A California congressman introducing a federal bill classifying air guns as firearms reflects anti-gun momentum in Congress. Even if Garrett's Law stalls, similar language could appear in larger omnibus bills or future legislation.
Air gun owners have historically operated in a regulatory gray zone. They've avoided many of the restrictions placed on traditional firearms. This bill would collapse that distinction.
Background
Air guns occupy a unique regulatory space. The ATF currently regulates firearms based on caliber, velocity, and design. Most air guns fall below regulatory thresholds. However, several states and municipalities have already restricted high-powered air gun sales and ownership, treating them as weapons separate from traditional firearms but still controlled.
Mullin represents California's 13th congressional district, which includes parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. California has some of the nation's strictest gun laws. The state has also begun regulating air guns at the state level, with proposals limiting sales to adults and restricting certain models.
Garrett's Law enters a Congress increasingly focused on closing what anti-gun advocates call "loopholes." Air guns represent one such perceived gap in federal authority. The bill reflects a pattern: identify a category of weapons outside current regulation, then move to bring it under federal control.
DownRange Bottom Line
Gun owners should monitor Garrett's Law closely. Even if it doesn't pass this session, the bill establishes a template for future federal air gun regulation. Contact your representatives, especially if you own or use air guns for hunting or sport.
This legislation reveals the direction of anti-gun policy: expand regulatory authority wherever possible. Today it's air guns. Tomorrow it could be other categories currently outside the federal system. Stay informed. Stay armed. Stay free.
