FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2026
CONTACT:
Kyra Smith (Crapo)
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) to introduce the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2026 to address the dangerously high number of “smash-and-grab” thefts targeting gun dealers by enhancing penalties for criminals who steal firearms from federally licensed firearms and ammunition dealers.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported that from 2021 to 2025, 4,046 FFL theft incidents were reported. During these incidents, criminals stole a total of 23,319 firearms from FFLs.
“The frequency of firearm theft has risen dramatically in recent years, contributing to dangerous activity in the illegal markets,” said Crapo. “Tougher criminal penalties are needed to protect licensed firearm dealers, importers and manufacturers and help reduce the public safety risk.”
“I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation to make ‘smash-and-grabs’ more costly for criminals,” said Graham. “Americans have a right to lawfully buy, own and sell firearms – criminals who steal them must pay the price.”
The legislation is supported by NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association.
In addition to Crapo, the legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina).
The FFL Protection Act of 2026 would:
- Increase the statutory maximum penalty for knowingly stealing any firearm in an FFL’s business inventory from 10 to 20 years.
- Impose a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for burglary from an FFL and five years for robbery from an FFL.
- Criminalize the attempted theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer or collector.
The full text of the bill is available HERE.
About Mike Crapo
Senator Mike Crapo has represented Idaho in the Senate since 1999, following three terms in the U.S. House and eight years in the Idaho State Senate. A lifelong Idahoan, he currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
