18 U.S.C. § 921
Definitions
United States · Title 18 — CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- 18 U.S.C. § 921, Definitions, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/449015
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Full text
As used in this chapter—
The term “destructive device” means—
any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas—
The term “antique firearm” means—
any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica—
The term “armor piercing ammunition” means—
The term “crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year” does not include—
The term “engaged in the business” means—
The term “to predominantly earn a profit” means that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining pecuniary gain, as opposed to other intents, such as improving or liquidating a personal firearms collection: Provided, That proof of profit shall not be required as to a person who engages in the regular and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal purposes or terrorism. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “terrorism” means activity, directed against United States persons, which—
is intended—
The term “with the principal objective of livelihood and profit” means that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining livelihood and pecuniary gain, as opposed to other intents, such as improving or liquidating a personal firearms collection: Provided, That proof of profit shall not be required as to a person who engages in the regular and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal purposes or terrorism. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “terrorism” means activity, directed against United States persons, which—
is intended—
The term “school zone” means—
The term “handgun” means—
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the term “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” means an offense that—
A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter, unless—
in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this paragraph for which a person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either
The term “secure gun storage or safety device” means—
Whether a relationship constitutes a dating relationship under subparagraph (A) shall be determined based on consideration of—
The term “verified electronic notification”, with respect to a communication to a chief law enforcement officer required under section 922(c)(2), means a digital communication—
that includes a method for verifying—
Legislative history
The public laws that enacted or amended this section. Tallies are for the whole bill as it passed each chamber — often an omnibus covering far more than this provision — not a vote on this section alone. The law that originally enacted this section predates the public laws loaded here, so only later amendments are listed.
- Amendments of 1973 to Federal Law Relating to ExplosivesHouse: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Firearms Owners' Protection ActHouse: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- A bill to amend title 18, United States Code.House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1985House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Crime Control Act of 1990House: 313–1Senate: no recorded tally
- Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
- Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
- ICC Termination Act of 1995House: 417–8Senate: no recorded tally
- Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997
- Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999
- 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization ActHouse: 400–4Senate: no recorded tally
- Homeland Security Act of 2002
- Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005House: 415–4Senate: no recorded tally
- John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Bipartisan Safer Communities ActHouse: 230–190Senate: no recorded tally
- Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025House: 281–140Senate: no recorded tally