Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
2023-2024 Session2021-2022 Session2019-2020 Session2017-2018 Session2015-2016 Session2013-2014 Session
Title: Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act of 2019
Description: Establishes a new grant program to help states and Indian tribes implement extreme risk protection order laws. Extreme risk protection order laws, or red flag laws, generally allow certain individuals (e.g., law enforcement officers or family members) to petition a court for a temporary order that prohibits an at-risk individual from purchasing and possessing firearms. The bill also expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving, possessing, shipping, or transporting a firearm or ammunition. Specifically, it adds a new category of prohibited persons: persons who are subject to an extreme risk protection order.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: January 3, 2019
Title: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that undue restrictions on the right of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm for self-defense outside of the home violate the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Description: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that undue restrictions on the right of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm for self-defense outside of the home violate the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3159)
Last Action Date: June 23, 2020
Title: Background Check Expansion Act
Description: Establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: January 8, 2019
Title: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
Description: Makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; or (4) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S103-104)
Last Action Date: January 9, 2019
Title: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019
Description: Allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid state-issued concealed carry permit, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: January 9, 2019
Title: Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
Description: Allows a state to use federal funds to cover a higher percentage of the costs for the construction and expansion of public target ranges. Specifically, a state may use specified federal grant funds to pay up to 90% of such costs (rather than 75%, as under current law). Additionally, amounts provided for these purposes shall remain available for five fiscal years (rather than two, as under current law).
Last Action: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Last Action Date: April 30, 2019
Title: A resolution keeping guns out of classrooms.
Description: This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that federal funds shall not be used to train or arm school personnel with firearms.
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1906)
Last Action Date: March 14, 2019
Title: Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2019
Description: A bill to protect victims of stalking from gun violence.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: January 15, 2019
Title: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
Description: Authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct or support research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Last Action Date: January 17, 2019
Title: Ethan's Law
Description: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require the safe storage of firearms, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: January 18, 2019
Title: SHUSH Act Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act
Description: Modifies the treatment of silencers under federal statutes governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms. Specifically, it removes silencers from the list of firearms subject to regulation (i.e., registration and licensing requirements) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Additionally, it excludes a muffler or silencer from the list of firearms subject to regulation (e.g., background check requirements) under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). Finally, the bill does the following: preempts state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers, specifies that a person who lawfully acquires or possesses a silencer under provisions of the GCA meets the registration and licensing requirements of the NFA, eliminates mandatory minimum prison terms for a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense in which a defendant uses or carries a firearm equipped with a silencer or muffler, and permits active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed silencer.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Last Action Date: January 24, 2019
Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 7 through June 9, 2019, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend" and June 2019 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month".
Description: This resolution expresses support for the designation of June 2019 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month and the designation of June 7-June 9, 2019, as National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend.
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3011)
Last Action Date: May 21, 2019
Title: Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act of 2019
Description: Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a Joint Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Task Force, which shall provide recommendations to Congress and DHS on the development and implementation of a national strategy for preventing targeted violence through behavioral threat assessment and management. The bill defines behavioral threat assessment and management as the systematic and evidence-based process of (1) identifying individuals whose behavior indicates a capacity for committing acts of violence, (2) investigating and gathering information from multiple sources to assess whether such individuals pose a threat, and (3) the subsequent management of such a threat. DHS shall (1) develop and implement the national strategy and provide information and training services related to it, and (2) award grants to establish community based units for implementing the national strategy.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Last Action Date: January 29, 2019
Title: SECURE Firearm Storage Act Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective Firearm Storage Act
Description: Establishes security requirements for the business premises of a licensed firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer. Specifically, when the premises are closed for business, an importer, manufacturer, or dealer must secure the firearms inventory and securely store paper business records. A violator is subject to penalties—a civil fine, suspension or revocation of a license, or both a civil fine and suspension or revocation of a license.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: February 4, 2019
Title: Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act
Description: Prohibits federal funding of, or support for, state databases that list (1) firearms lawfully owned or possessed, or (2) individuals who lawfully own or possess firearms.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Last Action Date: February 6, 2019
Title: A bill to modify the definition of an antique firearm.
Description: Modifies the date of manufacture used to determine whether a firearm is an "antique firearm" for purposes of federal firearms laws.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Last Action Date: February 12, 2019
Title: Keep Americans Safe Act
Description: Establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The bill does not prohibit certain conduct with respect to an LCAFD, including the following: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification and the date of manufacture. Additionally, the bill allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender an LCAFD under a buy-back program.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: February 12, 2019
Title: Stopping the Traffic in Overseas Proliferation of Ghost Guns Act
Description: Prohibits the President from (1) removing any firearm or related technical information from the U.S. Munitions List, or (2) changing the requirements under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations as they were composed on January 1, 2018. The Department of State may not suspend the application of the regulations without notifying Congress under specified procedures.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Last Action Date: February 12, 2019
Title: A resolution raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2020 as "National Stalking Awareness Month".
Description: This resolution designates January 2020 as National Stalking Awareness Month. Additionally, it does the following: applauds the efforts of service providers, police, prosecutors, national and community organizations, campuses, and private sector supporters to promote awareness of stalking; encourages increased awareness of stalking and the availability of services for stalking victims; and urges national and community organizations, private businesses, and the media to promote awareness of the crime of stalking through National Stalking Awareness Month.
Last Action: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR (01/21/2020) S437)
Last Action Date: February 27, 2020
Title: Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019
Description: Addresses extreme risk protection order laws. Extreme risk protection order laws, or red flag laws, generally allow certain individuals (e.g., law enforcement officers or family members) to petition a court for a temporary order that prohibits an at-risk individual from purchasing and possessing firearms. First, the bill establishes a grant program to help states and Indian tribes implement extreme risk protection order laws and carry out related activities. Local governments and other entities may also receive grants to carry out certain activities, such as raising public awareness of extreme risk protection order laws. Further, grant recipients must use a specified portion of funds to provide training for law enforcement. In addition, the bill expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving, possessing, shipping, or transporting a firearm or ammunition to include persons who are subject to an extreme risk protection order.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: February 14, 2019
Title: Interstate Transport Act of 2019
Description: Authorizes a person to transport a knife between two states where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport such knife. It sets forth conditions and limitations with respect to the lawful interstate transport of knives, including secure storage requirements.
Last Action: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 161.
Last Action Date: July 24, 2019
Title: Marijuana Justice Act of 2019
Description: Decriminalizes marijuana. Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who imports, exports, manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute marijuana. Additionally, the bill does the following: reduces federal funds for a state that has not legalized marijuana and has a disproportionate arrest rate or a disproportionate incarceration rate for marijuana offenses, directs federal courts to expunge convictions for marijuana use or possession, and establishes a fund—the Community Reinvestment Fund—to support grants in communities most affected by the war on drugs.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: February 28, 2019
Title: Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking and Crime Prevention Act of 2019
Description: Makes trafficking in firearms a stand-alone criminal offense. A person who commits or conspires to commit a gun trafficking offense is subject to criminal penalties—a prison term of up to 20 years (or up to 25 years, if the person also acted as an organizer), a fine, or both.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: March 7, 2019
Title: Hearing Protection Act
Description: Removes silencers from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also treats persons acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of such Act. The Department of Justice must destroy certain records relating to the registration, transfer, or making of a silencer. The bill also revises the definition of firearm silencer and firearm muffler under the federal criminal code and includes such items in the 10% excise tax category.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Last Action Date: March 14, 2019
Title: NICS Denial Notification Act of 2019
Description: Requires the Department of Justice to notify state and local law enforcement authorities following a firearms-related background check that results in a denial.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: March 26, 2019
Title: Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights Restoration Act of 2019
Description: A bill to provide additional protections for our veterans.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Last Action Date: May 6, 2019
Title: Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2019
Description: Establishes an Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence. Among other things, the advisory council must assess the needs of victims of gun violence and disseminate information about resources available to help victims of gun violence.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 7, 2019
Title: Age 21 Act
Description: Raises the minimum age to purchase a large capacity ammunition feeding device or semiautomatic assault weapon from 18 to 21 years of age.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 9, 2019
Title: Disarm Hate Act
Description: The bill expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm. Specifically, it prohibits firearm sale or transfer to and receipt, possession, shipment, or transport by a person (1) who has been convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime, or (2) who has received an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 14, 2019
Title: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to permit certain individuals complying with State law to possess firearms.
Description: Modifies the criminal prohibition on possession of a firearm in a school zone. Specifically, it revises an exception to permit an individual to possess a firearm in a school zone if that individual is in compliance with the laws of the state and political subdivision in which the school zone is located.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 16, 2019
Title: Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2019
Description: A bill to address gun violence, improve the availability of records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, address mental illness in the criminal justice system, and end straw purchases and trafficking of illegal firearms, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 16, 2019
Title: Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act
Description: Modifies the prior convictions that trigger a 15-year enhanced mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who commits a firearms offense after three or more such prior convictions.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 20, 2019
Title: Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act
Description: Decriminalizes marijuana. Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who imports, exports, manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute marijuana. Additionally, the bill does the following: establishes a trust fund to assist women-owned and minority-owned marijuana businesses, requires federal research on the impacts of marijuana use on highway safety and public health, authorizes federal restrictions on the marketing of marijuana-related products, and authorizes grants for state and local governments to expunge or seal convictions for marijuana possession.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2971-2972)
Last Action Date: May 20, 2019
Title: Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
Description: Removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 11, 2019
Title: Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2019
Description: Modifies criminal penalties for an offense involving the theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, or from their business premises. Specifically, the bill does the following: increases from 10 to 20 years the maximum prison term, and creates a 3- or 5-year mandatory minimum prison term for an offense that occurs during the commission of a burglary or robbery. An attempt to commit an offense is subject to the same penalties as a substantive offense.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 11, 2019
Title: Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2019
Description: A bill to ensure greater accountability by licensed firearms dealers.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 12, 2019
Title: 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2019
Description: Makes it unlawful to intentionally publish digital instructions for programming a three-dimensional printer to make a firearm.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 13, 2019
Title: Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act
Description: Authorizes a grant program for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to implement and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing requirements.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 13, 2019
Title: SAFETY Act Start Advancing Firearms Enhancements and Technology Act of 2019
Description: Increases the rate of the research tax credit from 20% to 30% for research expenses to develop smart gun technologies. The bill also modifies the excise tax on the sale of firearms to exempt the portion of the sale price that is attributable to smart gun technology. "Smart gun technology" is technology (other than a simple mechanical lock) that is designed to (1) prevent a firearm from being fired by any individual other than an authorized user; and (2) convert the firearm from the inoperable condition to the operable condition in less than two seconds after the authorized user makes contact with the firearm, the firearm's arming device, or an external safe or locking device.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Last Action Date: June 18, 2019
Title: Jaime’s Law
Description: A bill to prevent the purchase of ammunition by prohibited purchasers.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 20, 2019
Title: HEAR Act Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2019
Description: A bill to regulate firearm silencers and firearm mufflers.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 24, 2019
Title: A bill to protect the right of individuals to bear arms at water resources development projects.
Description: Requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow an individual to possess a firearm in a public area of a water resources development project if (1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, and (2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the state in which the project is located.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Last Action Date: June 27, 2019
Title: MASS Act Making America Safe and Secure Act of 2019
Description: Authorizes grants for states to implement or maintain firearms and firearms dealer licensing requirements. A state's requirements must incorporate certain elements, including the following: an individual must have a firearms license at the time of acquiring, and during the entire period of possessing, a firearm or ammunition; and an individual who sells, rents, or leases a minimum number of firearms, or sells ammunition, must obtain a firearms dealer license.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 27, 2019
Title: Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act
Description: Revises provisions of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act relating to the funding of wildlife conservation. Specifically, the bill adds new definitions, including a definition of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; apportions to states revenues from taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows at a rate not greater than 3% and not less than 1% of such revenues; removes the existing prohibition on public relations to allow spending by states for management of wildlife areas and promotion of hunting and recreational shooting; allows the use of grant funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; and expands the Multistate Conservation Grant program by providing $5 million exclusively for making hunter and recreational shooter recruitment project grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Fish and Wildlife Service shall review and evaluate the effects of funds used for hunter and recreational shooter recruitment on funds available for wildlife conservation.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Last Action Date: July 11, 2019
Title: Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2019
Description: Establishes new requirements and restrictions with respect to the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms. Among other things, the bill does the following: generally requires owners of certain firearms—handguns and semiautomatic rifles capable of accepting a detachable ammunition feeding device—to obtain a license, and establishes background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: July 25, 2019
Title: Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2019
Description: A bill to increase public safety by punishing and deterring firearms trafficking.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: July 31, 2019
Title: Federal Firearm Licensing Act
Description: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to require licenses to acquire or receive firearms, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: September 10, 2019
Title: Break the Cycle of Violence Act
Description: Authorizes new grant programs to support violence intervention initiatives. Specifically, the Bureau of Justice Assistance must award grants for coordinated violence reduction initiatives in units of local government that are disproportionately impacted by gun and group-related violence. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health must award grants for hospital-based violence intervention programs that reduce the risk of violent injury and retaliation among high-risk patients.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: October 23, 2019
Title: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019
Description: A bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6569)
Last Action Date: November 13, 2019
Title: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019
Description: A bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 308.
Last Action Date: November 21, 2019
Title: Safe Gun Storage Act of 2019
Description: Requires safety standards for firearm locks and safes. Under such standards, firearm locks must be reasonably designed to (1) prevent the firearm from discharging while the lock is activated, and (2) prevent unauthorized access to the firearm. Further, firearm safes must be reasonably designed to (1) secure firearms, and (2) prevent unauthorized access to the safe through physical manipulation or damage.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Last Action Date: December 17, 2019
Title: Servicemembers Self-Defense Act of 2019
Description: A bill to amend titles 10 and 18, to permit members of the Armed Forces to possess firearms on military installations in accordance with applicable State law, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Last Action Date: December 19, 2019
Title: Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act
Description: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to more comprehensively address the interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: December 19, 2019
Title: Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020
Description: A bill to authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S195-197)
Last Action Date: January 14, 2020
Title: Safeguarding Americans' Private Records Act of 2020
Description: Imposes limitations on investigative powers provided under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA), reauthorizes certain FISA programs, and makes related changes. Provisions include reauthorizing to December 15, 2023, FISA authority to obtain business records, but also repealing the power to use such authority to obtain records on an ongoing basis; excluding certain data, such as cell phone location, from FISA authority to access business records; establishing that nonpublic information collected under FISA authority may not be retained for more than three years unless the information includes foreign intelligence information; disallowing the use of FISA-collected business records for criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings except in certain instances, such as cases involving a specific cybersecurity threat from a foreign country; requiring a government entity to notify a targeted person that the entity intends to use in court business records collected under FISA; excluding cell site location and global positioning system information from FISA authority for using a pen register or trap and trace device to collect evidence; reauthorizing to December 15, 2023, the power to treat individual terrorists as foreign agents; expanding the powers of FISA court amicus curiae (outside parties appointed to assist in a case), such as by authorizing the amicus to refer a FISA court decision to the FISA Court of Review; and repealing the government's authority to use National Security Letters to obtain financial or communications records without a court order.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: January 28, 2020
Title: HERO Act of 2020 Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act of 2020
Description: Establishes a series of programs relating to the behavioral health of public-safety officers (e.g., law-enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulance crew members, and 911 operators). For example, the bill establishes (1) a public-safety officer suicide-reporting system at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and (2) a grant program for peer-support behavioral health and wellness programs within fire departments and emergency medical services agencies.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Last Action Date: January 28, 2020
Title: Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
Description: Makes various changes to the federal framework governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms and ammunition. Among other things, the bill does the following: generally requires individuals to obtain a license to purchase, acquire, or possess a firearm or ammunition; raises the minimum age—from 18 years to 21 years—to purchase firearms and ammunition; establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties; requires law enforcement agencies to be notified following a firearms-related background check that results in a denial; creates a statutory process for a family or household member to petition a court for an extreme risk protection order to remove firearms from an individual who poses a risk of committing violence; restricts the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices; restricts the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, or receipt of ghost guns (i.e., guns without serial numbers); makes trafficking in firearms a stand-alone criminal offense; requires federally licensed gun dealers to submit and annually certify compliance with a security plan to detect and deter firearm theft; removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers; allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components; establishes a community violence intervention grant program; and promotes research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Last Action Date: February 5, 2020
Title: Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act
Description: A bill to repeal certain impediments to the administration of the firearms laws.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: February 13, 2020
Title: Crime Gun Tracing Modernization Act of 2020
Description: Requires the National Tracing Center within the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to establish and maintain an electronic, searchable database of records related to certain firearms transactions.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: February 27, 2020
Title: Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act
Description: Broadens the scope of allowable firearm transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses. Specifically, the bill allows a licensed gun dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States. (Current law already allows a licensed dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States.) The bill also specifies that, for purposes of federal firearms laws, a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, is a resident of the state in which (1) the member or spouse maintains legal residence, (2) the permanent duty station of the member is located, and (3) the member maintains a home from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: March 12, 2020
Title: Untraceable Firearms Act of 2020
Description: Generally prohibits and penalizes the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, or receipt of a ghost gun. A ghost gun is a firearm that lacks a unique serial number.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 14, 2020
Title: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Data Integrity Act of 2020
Description: Modifies requirements governing the national instant criminal background check system (NICS). Specifically, it allows the NICS to retain records related to a firearms-related background check for as long as necessary to make a final determination of firearms eligibility. Additionally, it requires the NICS to query an additional database—the National Data Exchange—as part of a firearm-related background check.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: May 21, 2020
Title: Justice in Policing Act of 2020
Description: A bill to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 8, 2020
Title: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act
Description: A bill to prevent the militarization of Federal, State, and local law enforcement by Federal excess property transfers and grant programs.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Last Action Date: June 10, 2020
Title: Promoting Public Safety and Supporting Law Enforcement Act of 2020
Description: Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to withhold 5% of highway safety program and national priority safety program funding from states and local governments that defund or otherwise reduce funding for a law enforcement entity without a clear budgetary reason. A state or local government may submit documentation or other evidence to DOT for review to determine if the defunding of, or other reduction in funding for, a law enforcement entity was carried out for a clear budgetary reason.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Last Action Date: June 15, 2020
Title: Immigration Enforcement Moratorium Act
Description: A bill to temporarily suspend certain immigration enforcement activities during disease-related emergencies.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 18, 2020
Title: Gun Owner Privacy Act
Description: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to protect the rights of citizens under the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 23, 2020
Title: Background Check Completion Act of 2020
Description: Prohibits a licensed gun dealer from transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person prior to the completion of a background check. Current law permits a licensed gun dealer to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person if a submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: June 25, 2020
Title: Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2020
Description: A bill to reform Federal firearms laws, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: July 22, 2020
Title: U.S. Military Right to Carry Act
Description: A bill to encourage States to permit members of the Armed Forces who are outside of the State under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: July 23, 2020
Title: Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act
Description: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect more victims of domestic violence by preventing their abusers from possessing or receiving firearms, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: August 5, 2020
Title: Protect Our Prosecutors and Judges Act of 2020
Description: A bill to establish appropriate rules for prosecutors and Federal judges to carry a concealed firearm.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: August 5, 2020
Title: Defend Our Defenders Act of 2020
Description: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to make the murder of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer a crime punishable by life in prison or death.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Action Date: September 21, 2020
Title: SAFEGUARD Act Safeguarding Human Rights in Arms Exports Act of 2020
Description: A bill to enhance the consideration of human rights in arms exports.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Last Action Date: September 24, 2020
Title: Stopping the Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act
Description: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to make fraudulent dealings in firearms and ammunition unlawful, and for other purposes.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5874)
Last Action Date: September 24, 2020
Title: Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act
Description: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Last Action Date: November 10, 2020