Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Thompson (CA)
Introduced
Summary
Expands background checks to most private firearm transfers. This bill would require unlicensed sellers to have a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer take possession of a firearm and run the federal background check before transferring it, while listing targeted exceptions.
Show full summary
- Families: Certain loans and bona fide gifts between specified family members would be exempt if the transferor has no reason to believe the recipient is prohibited from possessing firearms.
- Private sellers and dealers: Unlicensed sellers would need a licensee to take possession and process the transaction as dealer inventory so the existing background-check system applies.
- Licensed-dealer paperwork: Licensees would have to give buyers a written notice and get a signed certification on a form the Attorney General prescribes.
- Law enforcement and short-term use: The bill carves out exceptions for law enforcement, armed private security, military on duty, estate transfers, emergency transfers to prevent imminent harm, and temporary transfers at ranges or for hunting when the seller is present.
- Administration and state authority: It would require the Attorney General to provide forms in English and Spanish and affirms it does not authorize a national firearms registry and preserves state lawmaking on the same subject.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Background checks for most private gun sales
If enacted, most private gun transfers would need to go through a licensed dealer. The dealer would take the gun first, run the background check, give the buyer a required notice, and get a signed form. The Justice Department would provide these forms and notices in English and Spanish. If the sale falls through, the dealer could return the gun to the seller without it counting as a transfer. Penalties that apply to other background‑check violations would also apply here. These rules would start 180 days after enactment.
Exceptions for family, ranges, and emergencies
If enacted, some private transfers would not need a dealer. Gifts or loans within close family (like spouses, parents and children, siblings, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, and grandparents and grandchildren) would be allowed if the giver has no reason to think the recipient is banned or will commit a crime. On‑duty law enforcement, armed security, and service members would be excepted. Temporary transfers to stop imminent harm, estate transfers after death, and Attorney General‑approved transfers would be allowed. Short‑term loans at a range, for legal hunting or fishing with required licenses, or while you stay with the owner would also be allowed. These exceptions would start 180 days after enactment.
No national gun registry allowed
If enacted, the bill would not allow a national gun registry. Agencies would be barred from creating one under this bill. This would take effect upon enactment.
States keep power on gun rules
If enacted, the bill would not block states from making their own gun laws on this topic. States could still pass and enforce their own rules. This would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Thompson (CA)
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Aguilar
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Auchincloss
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
MO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Castro (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Cisneros
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Clark (MA)
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Clyburn
SC • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Conaway
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Crow
CO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
CO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Fletcher
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Gonzalez, V.
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Himes
CT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
NV • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Hoyer
MD • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Mfume
MD • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]
MN • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Neal
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Pelosi
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Peters
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
VI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Sherrill
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Ivey
MD • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Jeffries
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Liccardo
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
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Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Mannion
NY • D
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Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
McBath
GA • D
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McBride
DE • D
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Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
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McClellan
VA • D
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McCollum
MN • D
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Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
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Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Wilson (FL)
FL • D
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Cohen
TN • D
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Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 8/15/2025
Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/4/2025
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
OH • D
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Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
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Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
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Thompson (MS)
MS • D
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Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
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Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
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Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
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Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
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Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
CA • D
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Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
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Trahan
MA • D
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Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
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Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
IL • D
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Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]
TX • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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