John Cornyn Seeks to Increase Penalties for Gun Store Thefts

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and 17 other Republican senators in introducing the FFL Protection Act, legislation that would increase penalties for individuals who steal firearms from federally licensed gun dealers.

What is the FFL Protection Act?

The Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act is a bill designed to address thefts targeting federally licensed firearms and ammunition dealers.

The legislation comes amid concerns over a growing number of "smash-and-grab" burglaries and robberies involving gun stores across the country. Supporters say stolen firearms often end up in criminal networks and can contribute to violent crimes.

Why are lawmakers proposing the bill?

According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), there were 4,046 theft incidents involving Federal Firearms Licensees between 2021 and 2025. Those incidents included burglaries, robberies, and larcenies that resulted in 23,319 firearms being stolen nationwide.

Texas has been significantly affected by the trend. During the same period, thieves stole 2,737 firearms from licensed dealers across the state.

What Cornyn is saying

Sen. John Cornyn: "Criminals who steal firearms from gun stores should be punished to the fullest extent of the law."

Sen. Cornyn continued: "This legislation would prevent gun thefts by strengthening the consequences for those who break the law, and I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to support it."

What would the bill do?

The FFL Protection Act would:

• Increase the maximum penalty for knowingly stealing a firearm from an FFL's inventory from 10 years to 20 years.
• Establish a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for burglary of a licensed firearms dealer.
• Establish a minimum sentence of five years for robbery of a licensed firearms dealer.
• Criminalize attempted firearm thefts from licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, and collectors.

The legislation has received support from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

The Bottom Line

Supporters of the FFL Protection Act argue that tougher penalties for firearm thefts will help deter criminals from targeting gun stores and reduce the number of stolen firearms entering illegal markets.