This amendment clarifies that maritime emergency and distress signaling devices commonly sold in boat shops and which are Coast Guard-required equipment for every boat 16 feet or more and length are not firearms for purposes of this bill.

Plain English Breakdown

The amendment was stricken from consideration before becoming law, so these definitions do not apply unless re-introduced or included elsewhere.

Amendment Excluding Maritime Flare Guns and Construction Tools from Firearm Definition

This amendment states that certain safety devices used on boats and construction tools powered by powder are not considered firearms under this bill.

What This Bill Does

• Removes maritime flare guns from the definition of a firearm in this legislation.
• Excludes powder-actuated concrete or steel hammer tools from being classified as firearms.
• Clarifies that fastening tools, such as concrete nail guns, are not treated as firearms.

Who It Names or Affects

• Boat owners who use Coast Guard-required emergency signaling devices on vessels 16 feet or longer.
• Construction workers and contractors using powder-actuated tools like nail guns or hammers.

Terms To Know

Maritime flare gun

A handheld nautical pyrotechnic emergency signaling device required by the U.S. Coast Guard for boats 16 feet or more in length.

Powder actuated tools

Construction devices, such as concrete nail guns or steel hammers, that use an explosive charge to drive fasteners into hard materials.

Limits and Unknowns

• This amendment was stricken in the House on June 25, 2026, meaning it did not become part of the final bill.
• The text does not specify an effective date because the measure was removed from consideration.

Official Summary Text

This amendment clarifies that maritime emergency and distress signaling devices commonly sold in boat shops and which are Coast Guard-required equipment for every boat 16 feet or more and length are not firearms for purposes of this bill.
This amendment also clarifies that construction tools which are powder actuated such as concrete/steel hammer tools or fastening tools such as concrete nail guns routinely sold in hardware stores and building supply outlets are not firearms for purposes of this bill.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Spiegelman

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 11

TO

SENATE SUBSTITUTE NO. 1

FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 300

AMEND Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 300 on line 18 by inserting after the phrase “

Title 11

” and before the “

.

” the following:

“

but does not include maritime flare guns or construction tools such as powder actuated concrete or steel hammer tools or powder actuated fastening tools such as those sometimes known as concrete nail guns

”.

FURTHER AMEND Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill 300 by inserting after line 25 and before line 26 and redesignating accordingly the following:

“

(16) “Maritime flare gun” means a handheld nautical pyrotechnic emergency signaling device of the type required by the U.S. Coast Guard for all boats 16 feet or more in length.

”

SYNOPSIS

This amendment clarifies that maritime emergency and distress signaling devices commonly sold in boat shops and which are Coast Guard-required equipment for every boat 16 feet or more and length are not firearms for purposes of this bill.

This amendment also clarifies that construction tools which are powder actuated such as concrete/steel hammer tools or fastening tools such as concrete nail guns routinely sold in hardware stores and building supply outlets are not firearms for purposes of this bill.