Summary#
This bill changes how the federal government decides whether firearms and ammunition can be imported into the United States for sporting uses. It updates 18 U.S.C. 925(d) to add rules about what counts as "suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes," deadlines for agency decisions, how denials must be explained and posted, limits on denying items that are similar to items already in U.S. circulation, and processes for hearings and court review. It also makes small technical changes to headings and a cross-reference in another statute.
What it means for you#
- If you apply to import firearms or ammunition claimed to be for hunting, recreational target shooting, organized competitions, or civilian rifle matches, the Attorney General must make a written determination within 90 days. If no decision is made in 90 days, the import is treated as allowed.
- If the Attorney General denies an import, the applicant must receive a written reason and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) must post the basis for the denial on its website.
- The Attorney General generally cannot deny importation of items that are "substantially similar" to firearms or ammunition already in circulation in the United States. The Attorney General must define "substantially similar" after consulting specified industry and stakeholder groups and using current technical comparison processes.
- An applicant who is denied can request a prompt hearing at a convenient location, and after that hearing may seek a de novo judicial review in federal district court within 60 days. In court, the Attorney General has the burden of proof that the item is not generally recognized as suitable for sporting purposes.
- If a court finds the denial was not authorized, it must order the Attorney General to comply and may award reasonable attorney fees to the aggrieved party.
Expenses#
No publicly available information on overall federal cost estimates or budget effects. The bill does allow courts to award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing aggrieved party in judicial review of denials.
Proponents' View#
The bill's stated purpose is to "reform restrictions on the importation of firearms and ammunition," and it creates faster decision deadlines, public posting of denial reasons, and formal review processes for import applicants.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information on opponents' views in the bill text or metadata.