# Plain Language Summary: Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025

This bill prevents the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using emergency powers to restrict guns, ammunition, or gun-related items. Specifically, it blocks the President from declaring a national emergency or disaster under two major federal laws if the goal is to impose gun control measures. It also prevents the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring a public health emergency for the purpose of restricting firearms or ammunition.

The bill goes further by adding new restrictions to the Stafford Disaster Relief Act, which normally gives the government broad powers during emergencies and disasters. Under this bill, those emergency powers cannot be used to ban or restrict the possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, ammunition feeding devices (like magazines), or firearm accessories. This means that even if a major disaster occurs—like a hurricane, earthquake, or pandemic—the government cannot use emergency declarations as a tool to implement gun control policies during that crisis.

The practical effect is that gun owners would have legal protection against emergency-based gun restrictions, even in situations where officials might argue that temporary gun controls are necessary for public safety or emergency response. For example, if a public health emergency were declared, authorities could not use that emergency to temporarily restrict gun sales or possession. Supporters argue this protects constitutional rights during crises, while critics worry it could prevent emergency measures they believe might be needed during serious public safety situations.

Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025

Cloud, Michael

Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025This bill prohibits (1) the President or the Department of Health and Human Services from declaring emergencies or disasters for the purpose of imposing gun control; and (2) a federal officer or employee, or person operating under color of federal law or receiving federal funds, from banning the possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of weapons to which the Second Amendment of the Constitution applies, ammunition, or firearm accessories while acting in support of relief from a major disaster or emergency.