The House of Representatives voted 233 to 185 on February 9 to approve legislation exempting a new category of less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearm regulations and taxes, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.
Gun Owners of America announced the development, stating “BREAKING. The House just voted 233-185 to pass H.R. 2189, a bill to exempt a new class of ‘less-than-lethal projectile devices’ from the NFA, GCA, & federal firearm excise tax. The bill heads to the Senate next.”
BREAKING
The House just voted 233-185 to pass H.R. 2189, a bill to exempt a new class of “less-than-lethal projectile devices” from the NFA, GCA, & federal firearm excise tax.
The bill heads to the Senate next. https://t.co/ITwXjtF7og pic.twitter.com/v5UzLWGa8f
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) February 12, 2026
The Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025 creates a distinct legal classification for devices like Tasers and similar conducted energy or impact projectile weapons, removing them from the federal definition of firearm under the Gun Control Act, National Firearms Act, and Pittman Robertson excise tax scheme.
The legislation establishes specific criteria for qualifying devices. They must not be designed to fire or readily converted to fire common handgun, rifle, or shotgun ammunition. They must be designed and intended for use in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Additionally, they cannot be capable of using standard semiautomatic firearm magazines or feeding devices.
The bill directs the Attorney General and ATF to determine whether specific devices qualify as less than lethal upon request, with a 90-day response timeline. Qualifying devices and their proprietary cartridges or shells would be exempt from Gun Control Act firearm definitions and related regulations, National Firearms Act firearm definitions including taxes and registration requirements, and firearm and ammunition excise taxes under the Pittman Robertson framework.
The legislation effectively removes Tasers and similar non-lethal projectile technology from the firearm regulatory structure and excise tax regime, operating on the principle that de-escalation tools should not receive the same legal treatment as conventional firearms.
Prior to the vote, Gun Owners of America notified followers that “A vote in the House of Representatives is expected this week on H.R. 2189, a bill to exempt certain ‘less-than-lethal projectile device[s]’ from the unconstitutional National Firearms Act, the Gun Control Act, and the Pittman-Robertson Act’s firearm excise tax.”
The organization’s characterization of the National Firearms Act, Gun Control Act, and excise tax structure as unconstitutional reflects its broader stance on federal gun regulations, which it views as an unconstitutional overreach.
The measure now advances to the Senate, where it will face additional scrutiny before potentially becoming law.
The strong House vote sends a clear message that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize the absurdity of subjecting Tasers and similar de-escalation tools to the same taxes, registration requirements, and regulatory red tape as rifles and handguns.
About José Niño
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.
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