Federal Firearm Licensee Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
modernize federal oversight of firearm dealers by rewriting dealer licensing, premises security, inventory and electronic record rules, expanding inspections, and centralizing trace data to fit online marketplaces and modern enforcement needs.
Show full summary
- Families and purchasers: Would require dealers to post warnings and give buyer materials on safe storage and suicide prevention, require video recording of sales in public sales areas, and retain surveillance for at least 90 days.
- Licensed dealers and employees: Would require approved security plans, quarterly physical inventory checks, and annual compliance certification. It would raise primary license fees to $2,000 and allow civil penalties up to $5,000 for certification violations.
- Law enforcement and ATF: Would establish a searchable National Tracing Center within 3 years and authorize hiring 650 additional ATF industry operations investigators to support inspections and enforcement.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher federal firearms license fees
The bill would raise many federal firearms license fees. Examples include a primary license fee of $2,000, an application fee of $100, and a collector annual fee of $20. It would also set new ammunition-related fees (for example a $2,000 primary fee and $400 per-transaction fee). Your actual cost would depend on the license type you hold or seek.
New rules for online marketplace hosts
This bill would create a federal facilitator license for online marketplace hosts and set a $1,000 annual fee. It would require hosts to tell sellers that a licensed dealer must complete transfers and to keep records of offers and serial numbers. Facilitators could face criminal penalties for knowingly allowing transfers without a licensed dealer, and enhanced penalties up to 10 years if the firearm is used in a violent or drug crime. The bill would also add new legal definitions (for example, "facilitator," "occasional sale," and when an inherited gun is a personal collection) that affect who must follow these rules.
Stricter rules for firearms dealers
The bill would make licensed dealers submit and certify security plans and get written approval for renewals. Dealers would need quarterly physical inventory checks and must report lost or stolen guns. Retail sellers to unlicensed buyers would keep video of sales for at least 90 days and post signs. Employee possession and dealer applicants would require NICS checks. High-risk dealers would face at least yearly inspections; other dealers at least once every five years. The Attorney General could impose fines ($2,500–$20,000), suspend or revoke licenses, and immediately secure inventory in imminent-risk cases.
More ATF staff and database
The bill would let the Attorney General hire 650 new ATF industry investigators. It would require the National Tracing Center to build an electronic searchable database of licensee records within 3 years. Law enforcement could remotely query the database for criminal investigations; personal data would need a warrant. The bill would also extend NICS and crime-firearm record retention (90 business days for NICS data and 180 days for crime-related firearm records), repeal past limits on ATF's record and tracing powers, and lower some mens rea standards for enforcement.
Required buyer warnings and handouts
The bill would require retail dealers to post state and local warnings and to give Attorney General-developed materials to people who buy a gun and are not licensed sellers. Materials would cover suicide prevention, safe storage, theft prevention, and straw purchasing. Dealers would have a small cost to post and hand out these materials, while buyers would receive standardized safety information.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in