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119-s-123119th Congress

Handgun Permit to Purchase Act

Sponsored By: Senator Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Introduced

Summary

Creates federal grants to help states, local governments, and Indian tribes implement and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing programs. The bill would authorize competitive funding to develop, improve, and study licensing systems and sets baseline requirements for license applicants and eligible grant recipients.

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  • Families and communities: Aims to reduce handgun homicides and suicides, citing research such as Connecticut's study that found a 27.8% drop in firearm homicides and a 32.8% drop in firearm suicides after licensing.
  • States, local governments, and tribes: Would be able to compete for grants to build or improve licensing programs and to evaluate their effects. Applicants must describe their current licensing law and how funds will be used.
  • Prospective handgun purchasers: License rules the bill requires include being at least 21, U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident status, applying through a law enforcement agency, submitting fingerprints and a photo, a background check, reapplying at least every 5 years, and barring those prohibited under 18 U.S.C. 922(g).

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to support handgun licensing

This bill would let the Attorney General award competitive grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes. The grants would help develop, implement, and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing programs. To get a grant, a jurisdiction would need an existing handgun purchaser licensing law that meets rules for applicants. Those rules would include a minimum age of 21, U.S. citizen or national or lawful permanent resident status, applying at a law enforcement agency in the State of residence, reapplying at least every 5 years, and a background check with fingerprints and photos to ensure the applicant is not barred under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). Individuals barred under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) could not receive a handgun purchaser license or permit. Grant money would come from amounts Congress appropriates, awards would be made competitively and no later than 90 days after funding is provided, and Congress would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the program.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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