RIFLE Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Mann
Introduced
Summary
Would replace current ATF and Justice Department enforcement of federal firearms licensing with a graduated civil penalties regime and stronger procedural protections for licensees. It would set tougher proof rules for revocation and add formal notice, hearing, and timeline requirements for enforcement actions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
90 days to sell inventory after license ends
If enacted, a gun business whose federal license ends, is surrendered, or is revoked would get 90 days to sell or move its inventory. Time while an appeal is pending would not count, and the period could be extended for reasonable cause. The license would be treated as valid during that window, and the AG would issue letters other businesses can rely on. If remaining guns are transferred to the business or its owners before the window ends, they would be treated as a personal collection. A court could stop this only if it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, an immediate and grave safety threat.
Fairer penalties for gun dealers
If enacted, penalties for licensed gun dealers would shift toward fixing nonwillful mistakes first. The Attorney General would have to presume a violation is not willful and start actions within 3 years. "Willfully" would mean you knew a clear duty and deliberately ignored it; signed forms or past success could not prove that alone. One sale with multiple guns, or several errors in one record category, would count as one violation. Criminal recordkeeping charges would require materially false or significant entries and that the person kept custody of the records.
Fairer rules for new gun license applicants
If enacted, license applicants would get a preliminary decision with reasons, a chance to add information, and a hearing near them. The AG could not deny based on a license that ended more than 5 years ago (unless the person is prohibited under section 922(g)). The AG also could not deny just because the person worked for, was responsible for, or is family of a revoked licensee, unless clear and convincing evidence shows willful violations in that role. The AG would have to reconsider some past denials using the bill’s new willfulness rules.
Reinstate licenses and repay legal fees
If enacted, the Attorney General would have to reinstate, end suspensions, or reconsider denials that happened while ATF Orders 5370.1E, 5370.1F, or 5370.1G were in effect, unless there is clear and convincing proof of an immediate and grave safety threat. Eligible people would get back all legal fees paid during that period for those actions. Within 120 days of enactment, the AG would set up gunrightsrestored.gov and publish how to file a claim. The claims work could not be delegated outside the AG or Deputy AG’s office.
Stronger due process for gun dealers
If enacted, the Attorney General would need to give at least 60 days’ written notice before penalties and a chance to fix problems. You could ask for a hearing within 60 days, which would pause penalties unless the AG proves willfulness and an immediate, grave safety threat. An administrative judge would run a public hearing, with set deadlines, disclosures, and a written decision within 120 days. You could also ask a U.S. district court for a new trial within 60 days; the court could consider new evidence and must fix unlawful decisions. The AG would have to publish clear inspection and enforcement standards with mitigating factors, and must notify certain transferees of prior violations without presuming they are at fault.
Stronger privacy for lawful gun buyers
If enacted, agencies would be barred from sharing identifying information about people who lawfully buy or receive guns or ammunition. They could share the data only after certifying it will go only to a court, law enforcement, or a prosecutor.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mann
KS • R
Cosponsors
Clyde
GA • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Finstad
MN • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Downing
MT • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Ogles
TN • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Feenstra
IA • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Tiffany
WI • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Schmidt
KS • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Guthrie
KY • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Estes
KS • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Tenney
NY • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Smith (NE)
NE • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Rose
TN • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Collins
GA • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Biggs (SC)
SC • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Self
TX • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Moore (AL)
AL • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Biggs (AZ)
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Jackson (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Cline
VA • R
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Fallon
TX • R
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Langworthy
NY • R
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Babin
TX • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Harris (MD)
MD • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Donalds
FL • R
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Webster (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 2/5/2025
Brecheen
OK • R
Sponsored 3/10/2025
Gill (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Stefanik
NY • R
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Hamadeh (AZ)
AZ • R
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Williams (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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