The ATF Transparency Act would create an appeal process for people whose certain firearm transfer and registration applications are denied because of a background-check or legal restriction. It would provide the applicant with a NICS transaction number and allow successful appellants to recover reasonable and necessary attorney fees. It would also treat some transfer or firearm-making applications as approved if the agency does not decide them within 90 days. The bill directs federal officials to report on unresolved background checks and how checks were handled, and requires the ATF and FBI to agree on how to process them.
If enacted, people with covered denied applications could appeal and provide information meant to help prevent later mistaken denials or delays. Applicants for covered transfers or firearm-making registrations could receive deemed approval if no decision is made within 90 days. The changes would apply to applications filed or pending on or after enactment.
The text does not state overall costs. It requires reimbursement of reasonable and necessary attorney fees for successful appeals, but gives no amount.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.