ARMAS Act of 2025

The ARMAS Act of 2025 transfers control of certain firearms export regulations from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State to better regulate exports to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It designates specific countries (including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador) as "covered countries" requiring stricter export oversight, including mandatory annual reports on firearms exports and end-use monitoring to prevent diversion to criminal groups. The bill requires the Department of State to develop a strategy to disrupt illegal firearm trafficking, including increased participation in the eTrace program for tracking U.S.-sourced firearms and improved data sharing with foreign governments. Based on findings that U.S.-sourced firearms are commonly used in crimes in these regions, the act aims to reduce the flow of weapons that fuel violence and crime.