The Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2009 and Gun Show Background Check Act of 2009 (H.R. 2324, S. 843) are pending pieces of legislation in the United States 111th Congress intended to change record keeping and background check requirements for sales of firearms at gun shows.
Contents |
The Senate bill, S. 843, was introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D-NJ] on April 21, 2009 to establish background check procedures for gun shows.[1] The House bill, (H.R. 2324, was introduced by Rep. Michael Castle [R-DE] on May 7, 2009 to require criminal background checks on all firearms transactions occurring at gun shows.[2] The House legislation had 112 cosponsors as of September 22, 2010, mostly Democrats, but includes Castle's fellow Republican Main Street Partnership member Rep. Mark Kirk [R-IL], as well as, Rep. Peter T. King [R-NY].[3] The Senate bill had 17 cosponsors as of April 15, 2010, all Democrats.[4]
The Senate bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, who referred it to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on June 12, 2009.[5]
House Bill Provisions Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to operate a gun show unless such person:[6]
Senate Bill Provisions Gun Show Background Check Act of 2009 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require registration of gun show promoters and to set forth the responsibilities of promoters, licensees, and other transferors. Provides that if any part of a firearm transaction takes place at a gun show, each licensed importer, manufacturer, and dealer who transfers one or more firearms to a person who is not licensed shall, within 10 days after the transfer, submit a report of the transfer to the Attorney General. Sets forth penalties for violations. Grants the Attorney General authority to enter the place of business of any gun show promoter and any place where a gun show is held, during business hours and without a showing of reasonable cause or a warrant, for purposes of examining records and the inventory of licensees conducting business to determine compliance with this Act. Increases penalties for:
The legislation is supported by the Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence, who encourages its members and supporters to contact their US Senators and Representatives urging them to cosponsor the legislation.[8]
This legislation is strongly opposed by gun owner's rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). The NRA-ILA's web site decried the intent of the legislation: "Masquerading as reform, H.R. 2324 would impose severe bureaucratic restrictions aimed at shutting down gun shows."[9]
| Congress | Short title | Bill number(s) | Date introduced | Sponsor(s) | # of cosponsors | Latest status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111th Congress | Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2009 & Gun Show Background Check Act of 2009 | H.R. 2324 | May 7, 2009 | Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) | 113 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security 6/12/2009. |
| S. 843 | April 21, 2009 | Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) | 17 | Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary 4/21/2009. |