Federal Firearm Licensee Act
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMs. Kelly of Illinois (for herself, Mr. Amo, Ms. Ansari, …
Primary Purpose
Strengthens federal oversight and regulation of firearms dealers by repealing the Tiahrt Amendments, mandating physical security measures, requiring electronic recordkeeping, expanding ATF enforcement authority, and tightening licensing and liability standards.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Comprehensively reform firearm dealer regulation by repealing restrictions on ATF, mandating security and recordkeeping requirements, creating electronic databases, and strengthening enforcement mechanisms to reduce illegal firearm trafficking and gun violence."
Likely Beneficiaries
- Law enforcement agencies (ATF, state/local police) - gain enhanced enforcement tools, electronic searchable databases, increased inspection authority
- Public safety advocates - comprehensive reforms aimed at reducing illegal gun trafficking
- Security equipment providers - new mandatory requirements for safes, alarms, video surveillance, bollards
- Technology/software companies - electronic recordkeeping mandates create new market
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal Firearm Licensees (dealers, manufacturers, importers) - new security requirements, inventory audits, electronic recordkeeping, annual certifications, increased inspections, higher penalties
- Online marketplace platforms for firearms - new 'facilitator' license requirements
- Gun shop employees - must pass background checks to handle firearms
- Taxpayers - funding for 650 new ATF investigators
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_director"
- → Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- "licensed_dealer"
- → Federally licensed firearm dealers (Type 01, 02, 07 FFLs)
- "licensed_importer"
- → Federally licensed firearm importers
- "licensed_facilitator"
- → Commercial marketplace hosts for firearm sales (new license type)
- "the_attorney_general"
- → Attorney General of the United States
- "licensed_manufacturer"
- → Federally licensed firearm manufacturers
- "national_tracing_center"
- → ATF National Tracing Center
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Any person engaged in the business of hosting a commercial marketplace in which offers for firearm sales, purchases, or other transfers are allowed to be made, with exceptions for good-faith enforcement of terms of service.
The part of a handgun that provides housing or structure for the primary energized component designed to hold back the hammer, striker, bolt, or similar component prior to firing.
The part of a rifle, shotgun, or projectile weapon other than a handgun that provides housing or structure for the primary component designed to block or seal the breech prior to firing.
Fewer than 5 transactions in a 12-month period.
Any firearm obtained only for personal use of an individual and not for selling or trading; inherited firearms not included until possessed for 1 year.
Any repeating shotgun that utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing shell to extract the casing and chamber the next round, requiring a separate trigger pull for each shell.
A firearm required by law to be recorded in the acquisition and disposition logs of any firearms business.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology