Jaime’s Law

Summary of Jaime's Law

Please note: Because no official bill description was provided and "Jaime's Law" is a name that has been used for more than one piece of legislation, this summary is based on the most prominent federal bill known by that name. You should verify the specific bill text before relying on this summary.

Jaime's Law is a federal bill that would require background checks for the purchase of ammunition, similar to the background checks currently required when buying a firearm. Under the proposal, anyone buying ammunition would need to pass a federally conducted background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) — the same system used for gun purchases. The bill is named after Jaime Guttenberg, a 14-year-old killed in the 2018 Parkland, Florida school shooting.

The bill would primarily affect everyday consumers who purchase ammunition, as well as retailers and dealers who sell it. Buyers who are legally prohibited from owning firearms — such as convicted felons or those with certain mental health histories — would also be barred from purchasing ammunition under this measure. Licensed ammunition dealers would be responsible for running these checks before completing a sale.

The legislation was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is a standard early step in the legislative process. It has not yet been voted on. The bill would impact gun owners, hunters, sport shooters, and ammunition retailers across the country.