Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal licensing and sales-record system for owners of certain handguns and semiautomatic rifles. This bill would require people to hold a Firearm Owner License or a certified State license to possess qualifying firearms and sets new transfer, reporting, storage, and enforcement rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Penalties, child-access, and reporting
If enacted, the bill would create new criminal penalties for knowing violations of licensing, transfer, and record rules, with fines or prison up to 10 years for some offenses. It would also make failing to report the loss or theft of a qualifying firearm within 72 hours unlawful. For households with children, you could face fines or up to 5 years in prison if a child under 18 gets a gun you control and uses it to kill or seriously hurt someone, unless the gun was secured or other listed exceptions apply. These rules would generally take effect one year after enactment.
New federal firearm license rules
If enacted, you would need a new federal firearm owner license to possess many handguns and semiautomatic rifles unless you have a State license certified by the Attorney General. You would apply with a photo, fingerprints, mental-health certifications (when required), proof of age, and a small fee capped at $10. The Attorney General would have 30 days to decide on complete applications. Guns bought before enactment would become covered two years after enactment; guns bought on or after enactment would become covered one year after enactment. If you move between States, you would have 60 days to get a certified State license or a federal license in the destination State.
Dealer checks and sale records
If enacted, licensed gun sellers would have to verify buyers' licenses with the Attorney General or a certified State agency at the point of sale and record a tracking authorization number on the receipt. Dealers would also need to file a report within 14 days listing maker, model, serial number, buyer license number, date the buyer received the gun, and the seller's name and address. The Attorney General would build a federal record-of-sale system within 270 days, and States with certified systems could receive dealer reports instead. Licensed manufacturers and dealers would be required to keep records and allow inspections to show compliance.
State rules, exemptions, and priorities
If enacted, the bill would let States keep laws that are stricter than the federal rules. It would also say federal agencies and officials acting in their official jobs are not covered by the Act. And the Arms Export Control Act would take priority if there is any conflict with this bill. These changes would take effect one year after enactment.
Firearm injury data and research
If enacted, the Attorney General would set up a firearm injury information clearinghouse to collect and publish data on firearm deaths and injuries. The clearinghouse would track production and sales figures for licensed makers and study smart-gun technologies. The Attorney General would publish reports at least annually on findings and activities. This would begin one year after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov