# 114-hr-4135: Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

114-hr-4135, Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015, is a 114th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL); status Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (as of 2025-11-18).

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- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 114-hr-4135
- Congress: 114
- Title: Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015
- Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
- Introduced: 2015-11-30
- Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL)
- Cosponsors: 30
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015 The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States. Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances. This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession.

## Cosponsors (30)

- Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14] (D-CA), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] (D-CA), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (D-IL), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9] (D-FL), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5] (D-CT), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (D-CA), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13] (D-GA), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] (D-CA), 2015-11-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (D-IL), 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] (D-NY), 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18] (D-FL), 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7] (D-CO), 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14] (D-CA), 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (D-TX), 2015-12-02T00:00:00.000Z
- JOHN CONYERS (D-MI), 2015-12-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] (D-WA), 2015-12-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22] (D-FL), 2015-12-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carney, John C., Jr. [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2015-12-08T00:00:00.000Z
- MICHAEL HONDA (D-CA), 2015-12-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2015-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- RUBEN HINOJOSA (D-TX), 2015-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] (D-NY), 2015-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1] (D-HI), 2015-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- ELIJAH CUMMINGS (D-MD), 2015-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2015-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Delaney, John K. [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika virus.
- 114-hr-4592: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act
- 114-hr-2867: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015
- 114-hr-1786: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act
- 114-hr-1619: Paycheck Fairness Act
- 114-hr-4479: Families of Flint Act

## Sources
- [114-hr-4135 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4135)

## Related
- [114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika viru…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5044)
- [114-hr-4592: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4592)
- [114-hr-2867: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2867)
- [114-hr-1786: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1786)
- [114-hr-1619: Paycheck Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1619)
- [114-hr-4479: Families of Flint Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4479)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4135 (as of 2025-11-18).