Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to maintain critical operations related to firearms enforcement and export licensing within the federal government during a government shutdown. Specifically, it ensures that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls continue to function, even if Congress has not approved funding. The bill designates these operations as essential for public safety and exempts the employees involved from certain shutdown restrictions.
Key provisions
- Designates firearm-related operations as an emergency for shutdown purposes.
- Deems employees involved in these operations as ‘excepted employees’.
- Specifically lists agencies and departments involved: FBI, ATF, Department of Commerce, and Department of State.
- Covers the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
- Includes processing of background checks and export license applications.
- Applies to enforcement of firearms laws and firearm export licensing activities.
- Relates to the safety of human life or the protection of property.
- Addresses activities within the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, and Bureau of Industry and Security.
Who is affected
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
15 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours