Senator Warren Aims to Stop US Army Plant from Selling Ammunition to Civilians

Proposed legislation would prohibit Pentagon contractors from selling military-grade weapons and ammunition to the public.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren plans to introduce the Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act, which would prevent the U.S. Army-owned Lake City Ammunition Plant in Missouri from selling military-grade bullets to civilians. Warren asserts that some of these bullets have been diverted to Mexican drug cartels and used in over a dozen American mass shootings.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation aims to address concerns that taxpayer-funded military equipment and ammunition is being diverted to criminal groups and used in mass violence, both in the U.S. and across the border in Mexico. It reflects ongoing debates around gun control, the role of the military-industrial complex, and the flow of weapons between the U.S. and Mexico.

The details

The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Andy Kim and Representatives Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin, would require military contractors to only sell firearms and ammunition to commercial dealers that follow minimum safety practices, such as customer screening and a low history of gun sales linked to crime. It specifically targets the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, the largest manufacturer of rifle ammunition for the U.S. military, which is run by Olin Winchester and allowed to sell surplus ammunition to civilians.

  • On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Senator Warren plans to introduce the Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act.

The players

Elizabeth Warren

A U.S. Senator who is introducing legislation to stop a U.S. Army-owned ammunition plant from selling military-grade bullets to civilians.

Andy Kim

A U.S. Senator who is co-sponsoring the Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act with Senator Warren.

Robert Garcia

A U.S. Representative who is co-sponsoring the Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act with Senator Warren.

Jamie Raskin

A U.S. Representative who is co-sponsoring the Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act with Senator Warren.

Olin Winchester

A subsidiary of Olin Corporation that runs the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, the largest manufacturer of rifle ammunition for the U.S. military.

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What they’re saying

“Americans' tax dollars should not be used to fuel gun violence. Congress must step in to keep Americans safe, and that means stopping the U.S. military and giant defense contractors from selling weapons of war to cartels, criminal groups, and mass shooters that terrorize our communities.”

— Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act will be introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation reflects ongoing concerns about the diversion of military-grade weapons and ammunition to criminal groups and their use in mass shootings. It highlights the complex relationship between the U.S. government, the defense industry, and the flow of guns across the U.S.-Mexico border.