State Firearms Dealer Licensing Act

Full Title:
State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act

Summary#

This bill would add a new grant program to an existing federal crime-prevention law. The program lets the Attorney General award competitive annual grants to States and Indian tribal governments that already have laws requiring people who sell firearms to hold a state or tribal license. Grants would help develop, implement, improve, or evaluate state or tribal firearms dealer licensing programs. Eligible laws must require licensing to engage in business as a firearms dealer, a licensing application process, licenses lasting no more than 3 years, inspections of licensed dealers, and penalties such as suspension, revocation, civil fines, or criminal charges for noncompliance. The bill allows subgrants to local governments, requires annual reporting from grant recipients on inspections, violations, license counts, and license actions, and requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress about grants and denials. Each grant is capped at $2,500,000 per fiscal year. The bill also authorizes appropriations of "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the program. The term "licensed dealer" uses the federal definition in 18 U.S.C. 921(a).

What it means for you#

  • If your State or tribal government has a law that already requires firearms dealers to be licensed, your State or tribe could apply for federal grant money to set up or improve its licensing and inspection program.
  • If you are a person who sells firearms in a State or tribe that meets the law requirements, you could be required to hold a license that lasts up to 3 years and to allow inspections. Failure to follow rules could lead to suspension, revocation, fines, or criminal charges under state or tribal law.
  • Local governments in grant-receiving States or tribes could receive subawards to help run or enforce licensing programs.
  • The Attorney General will collect and publish yearly data about inspections, violations, and license actions for grant recipients.

Expenses#

  • The bill sets a maximum of $2,500,000 per fiscal year for any single grant awarded under the program.
  • It authorizes appropriations of "such sums as may be necessary" each fiscal year to carry out the program.
  • No publicly available information on total expected federal cost or an overall appropriation amount is in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.