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ATF Transparency Act

USA119th CongressHR-613| House 
| Updated: 1/22/2025
Russ Fulcher

Russ Fulcher

Republican Representative

Idaho

Cosponsors (1)
Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish an administrative relief process for individuals whose applications for firearm transfer and registration are denied. This process allows transferees to appeal denials based on federal or state prohibitions, receive their NICS transaction number, and provide information to prevent future erroneous denials, mirroring existing federal appeal procedures. Crucially, the bill mandates reimbursement for reasonable and necessary attorney fees incurred by transferees in successful appeals. The legislation also introduces strict timelines for the processing of firearm applications. If the Secretary fails to make a determination on a firearm transfer application within 90 calendar days , the application is automatically deemed approved, permitting the transfer. A similar 90-day deemed approval provision applies to applications for making and registering a firearm. Denials can only be based on a failure to meet applicable requirements, not on the inability to complete processing within the specified timeframe. To improve transparency and efficiency in background checks, the bill requires several reports and inter-agency agreements within 180 days. These include a joint report by the Comptroller General and DOJ Inspector General on unresolved NICS inquiries and recommendations, along with a separate DOJ IG report on NICS inquiries administered by the FBI for the ATF. Additionally, the Directors of the ATF and FBI are mandated to establish a memorandum of understanding concerning NICS administration and processing.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1700
ATF Transparency Act
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 22, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-884
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1700
    ATF Transparency Act


  • January 22, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 22, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • March 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-884
    Introduced in Senate

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • S 119-884: ATF Transparency Act
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightCriminal justice information and recordsFirearms and explosivesLicensing and registrations

ATF Transparency Act

USA119th CongressHR-613| House 
| Updated: 1/22/2025
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish an administrative relief process for individuals whose applications for firearm transfer and registration are denied. This process allows transferees to appeal denials based on federal or state prohibitions, receive their NICS transaction number, and provide information to prevent future erroneous denials, mirroring existing federal appeal procedures. Crucially, the bill mandates reimbursement for reasonable and necessary attorney fees incurred by transferees in successful appeals. The legislation also introduces strict timelines for the processing of firearm applications. If the Secretary fails to make a determination on a firearm transfer application within 90 calendar days , the application is automatically deemed approved, permitting the transfer. A similar 90-day deemed approval provision applies to applications for making and registering a firearm. Denials can only be based on a failure to meet applicable requirements, not on the inability to complete processing within the specified timeframe. To improve transparency and efficiency in background checks, the bill requires several reports and inter-agency agreements within 180 days. These include a joint report by the Comptroller General and DOJ Inspector General on unresolved NICS inquiries and recommendations, along with a separate DOJ IG report on NICS inquiries administered by the FBI for the ATF. Additionally, the Directors of the ATF and FBI are mandated to establish a memorandum of understanding concerning NICS administration and processing.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1700
ATF Transparency Act
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 22, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-884
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1700
    ATF Transparency Act


  • January 22, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 22, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • March 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-884
    Introduced in Senate
Russ Fulcher

Russ Fulcher

Republican Representative

Idaho

Cosponsors (1)
Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee, Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • S 119-884: ATF Transparency Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightCriminal justice information and recordsFirearms and explosivesLicensing and registrations