Search people, articles, bills, and more
The House passed H.R. 2255, which allows federal law enforcement officers to purchase their service weapons from the government at a low price when the firearms are retired from use.
This bill, known as the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025, creates a program allowing active and retired federal law enforcement officers to buy their issued handguns directly from their agencies. To qualify, an officer must be in good standing, and the purchase must happen within six months of the weapon being taken out of service. The price is set at 'salvage value,' which is typically much lower than the market price for a new firearm. In the House of Representatives, a vote 'on passage' is the final step in the chamber's legislative process. This specific vote required a simple majority of members present to pass. By voting 'yea,' members supported sending the bill to the next stage of the process; a 'nay' vote was an attempt to block it. The bill passed with a 234-182 result, largely along party lines. Republicans supported the measure nearly unanimously, while most Democrats voted against it, though 20 Democrats joined the Republican majority. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it will undergo a similar process of review and voting before it can be sent to the President.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill changes how the federal government manages surplus firearms, prioritizing their sale to former law enforcement users over other forms of disposal or destruction.
Who’s affected. Federal Law Enforcement Officers: Can acquire familiar service firearms at a reduced cost upon retirement. · General Services Administration (GSA): Required to develop and oversee a new administrative program for these sales. · Federal Agencies: Must manage the sale of their own retired firearms rather than following existing disposal protocols.
Democrats. The majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, though 20 members voted with Republicans to pass it.
Republicans. Republicans were unified in support of the measure, with no 'nay' votes cast from their side.
On Passage
May 15, 2025
The House passed H.R.
2255, which allows federal law enforcement officers to purchase their service weapons from the government at a low price when the firearms are retired from use.
This was a final vote in the House to approve the bill. Passing this stage means the House has finished its work on the measure and is sending it to the Senate for consideration.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
This bill changes how the federal government manages surplus firearms, prioritizing their sale to former law enforcement users over other forms of disposal or destruction.
The vote was a clear party-line split, with Republicans voting unanimously in favor and Democrats largely opposed, though a small group of Democrats crossed over to support it.
The majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, though 20 members voted with Republicans to pass it.
Republicans were unified in support of the measure, with no 'nay' votes cast from their side.
The House's sole independent member voted in favor of the bill.