Federal Firearm Licensing Act
Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced
Summary
Would create a federal firearm purchasing license that people would need to buy or possess a firearm, paired with point-of-sale background checks and rules for reporting, renewal, and revocation. It would require safety training, identity verification, fingerprints, and a background check, and allow State systems to substitute if the Attorney General finds them substantially similar.
Show full summary
- Individuals and buyers: Applicants would complete written and live-fire safety testing, submit fingerprints and ID, and pass a background check. Each license would be valid to buy a single firearm within 30 days and would expire after 5 years.
- Sellers and transfers: Nonlicensed sellers would have to use a licensed intermediary who takes possession, runs the point-of-sale background check, and files reports. Unlawful transfers or failure to report would carry penalties.
- Enforcement and State role: The Attorney General would issue or deny licenses within 30 days, could revoke licenses and require firearm removal, enroll licensees in the Rap Back service, and permit substantially similar State licenses to substitute. Applicants denied on danger grounds would have a path for judicial review.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Applying, renewing, and revoking gun licenses
If enacted, the Attorney General would run the Federal licensing system and provide local offices in urban and rural areas. Licenses would be issued or denied within 30 days, last five years, and let you buy one firearm within 30 days of issuance. To apply you would have to pass written and live-fire safety tests, give fingerprints and ID, and pass a background check. Licensees would be enrolled in Rap Back for ongoing monitoring. The Attorney General could deny or revoke a license for danger, require removal of firearms on revocation, and must provide a court hearing no later than 30 days after revocation.
New federal license for gun transfers
If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful to buy, receive, or possess a firearm unless you held a Federal firearm purchasing license. The Federal rule would not apply if your State issues a substantially similar license that the Attorney General approves. Unlicensed private transfers would require a licensed dealer or importer to take possession and run a point-of-sale background check. You would not be allowed to sell a gun to someone who had not held a valid license in the prior 30 days, and private sellers would have to report sales to the Attorney General within 3 business days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov