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Proposed Federal House Legislation HB4135

Legislation Overview

Title: Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

Subject: Firearms and explosives: Immigration status and procedures: Travel and tourism: Visas and passports: Crime and law enforcement

Description: Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015 The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States. Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances. This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession.

Session: 114th Congress

Last Action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Last Action Date: January 15, 2016

Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4135/all-info

Companion Bill: SB2323

Sponsors

Note: the first sponsor listed is normally the primary sponsor. If a sponsor's name is a hyperlink you can click on it to 'follow the money'.

31 sponsors: Tammy Duckworth (D); Jackie Speier (D); Adam Schiff (D); Steve Cohen (D); Mike Quigley (D); Henry Johnson (D); Chris Van Hollen (D); Eliot Engel (D); Alan Grayson (D); Elizabeth Esty (D); Alan Lowenthal (D); David Scott (D); Zoe Lofgren (D); Bill Foster (D); Jerrold Nadler (D); Patrick Murphy (D); Ed Perlmutter (D); Eric Swalwell (D); Sheila Jackson-Lee (D); John Conyers (D); Rick Larsen (D); Lois Frankel (D); John Carney (D); Michael Honda (D); Mark DeSaulnier (D); Ruben Hinojosa (D); Gregory Meeks (D); Mark Takai (D); Elijah Cummings (D); Stephen Lynch (D); John Delaney (D)

History

Chamber	Date	Action
House	Jan 15 2016	Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
House	Nov 30 2015	Introduced in House
House	Nov 30 2015	Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Texts

Type	Date	Federal Link	Text
Introduced	Dec 1 2015	federal bill text	bill text

Amendments

Title	Description	Date	State Link	Text	Adopted
There are no amendments to this bill at this time

Committee

Chamber: H

Committee Name: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, And Investigations

Votes

There have not been any votes on this bill