Prevent Illegal Gun Sales Act
Sponsored By: Representative Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
Introduced
Summary
Expanded oversight and tougher penalties for licensed firearms dealers. The bill would boost inspections, widen enforcement powers, and increase criminal and civil punishments to push dealers toward better recordkeeping and storage practices.
Show full summary
- Dealers, importers, manufacturers, and collectors would face more inspections and stricter penalties. Inspections would rise from once to 3 times for compliance checks. Recordkeeping failures tied to false statements or unlawful transfers could carry fines and up to 10 years in prison, and some violations would carry up to 5 years.
- Licensing and penalties would become stricter and easier to enforce. The Attorney General could suspend or revoke licenses and impose civil fines up to $10,000 per violation. Licenses could be suspended or terminated on indictment or conviction dates rather than waiting for final convictions.
- Enforcement agencies and oversight would grow. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives could hire at least 80 additional employees. The Attorney General could force physical inventories when a licensee is convicted or when 10 or more traced crime guns link to the licensee. The bill also requires biennial reports to Congress on implementation and needed resources.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Tougher penalties for gun dealers
The bill would raise some criminal penalties for licensed dealers: up to 10 years when tied to illegal transfers or false statements, and up to 5 years for another offense. The Attorney General could suspend or revoke a license, or fine up to $10,000 per violation, including for transfers of armor‑piercing ammunition and for failing to have secure storage or safety devices (with exceptions for theft, stockouts, or similar issues). The bill would remove the word “willfully” from some licensing rules, which could make violations easier to prove. Suspension or termination tied to an indictment would run until the date of conviction, not when the conviction becomes final. Dealers could request a prompt hearing, ask for a stay, and have 60 days to seek court review.
Broader grounds to deny licenses
The Attorney General could deny a license if issuing it would endanger public safety, the applicant is unlikely to follow the law, or the applicant is not suitable. The bill would also broaden related rules by striking a limiting word in the regulation authority. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Inventory checks after crime-gun traces
The Attorney General could require a licensed importer, maker, or dealer to do a physical inventory and provide detailed records. This could happen if the licensee was convicted of an unlawful transfer, or if 10 or more crime guns were traced to the business. The ATF Director would send Congress a report every two years on resources and enforcement. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
More ATF inspections of dealers
The ATF would be able to hire at least 80 more staff to do inspections. Licensed dealers could be inspected up to three times instead of once. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Cosponsors
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Auchincloss
MA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
MO • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov