HR 5874
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act, aims to maintain critical functions related to firearms enforcement and export licensing within the federal government even if Congress fails to pass appropriations. Specifically, it designates certain operations of the FBI, ATF, Department of Commerce, and Department of State as essential and ensures that employees performing these duties during a shutdown are considered ‘excepted employees,’ allowing them to continue working. The bill seeks to prevent disruptions to background checks and export licensing processes that relate to public safety and property protection.
Key provisions
- Designates specific federal agencies (FBI, ATF, Department of Commerce, Department of State) as subject to the bill.
- Ensures continued operation of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
- Guarantees the processing of firearm export license applications.
- Classifies employees performing these functions as ‘excepted employees’ during government shutdowns.
- Defines ‘excepted employees’ under the Antideficiency Act.
- Relates operations to an emergency involving safety or property protection.
- Covers the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the ATF.
- Covers the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State.
Who is affected
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of State
- Gun Owners
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5874
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To ensure that certain operations, functions, and services of the Federal Government relating to enforcement of firearms laws and firearm export licensing continue during a lapse in appropriations.
This Act may be cited as the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act
.
The operations, functions, and services described in this subsection are the operations, functions, and services of—
the National Instant Criminal Background Check System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and
the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses.