This bill changes the federal background-check rules that apply when a licensed firearm dealer transfers a gun to a non-licensee. It adds a formal petition process that a prospective buyer can submit electronically or by first-class mail. If the background check system has not notified the dealer of a disqualification, the buyer may submit a petition certifying they believe they are eligible and asking for a response within 10 business days. The Attorney General must create and publish the petition form, send notice when a petition is received, and respond on an expedited basis. The bill also sets new timelines for how long a dealer may rely on NICS responses: after a ‘‘proceed’’ response following 3 business days, the dealer may rely on that response for either 25 additional calendar days or 30 calendar days after the initial contact, whichever is longer. The bill requires GAO reports at 1, 3, and 5 years on how the changes affected transfers to prohibited persons; annual FBI reports on petitions not resolved within the 10-day period (with specific data items disaggregated by State); an Attorney General report on effects for victims of domestic violence within 150 days; and a DOJ Inspector General report within 90 days on transfers denied and referred to ATF. The Act takes effect 210 days after enactment and includes a short conforming amendment to the Brady Act text.
No publicly available information on the bill's direct costs, budgetary effects, or estimated expenses is included in the bill text provided.
The bill seeks to strengthen background-check procedures, provide a clear petition process for prospective buyers when NICS does not immediately respond, set timelines for dealers to rely on NICS responses, and require multiple oversight reports to measure how the changes affect transfers to prohibited persons.
No publicly available information on opponents' views is included in the bill text provided.