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.
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
Foushee
NC • D
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Friedman
CA • D
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Frost
FL • D
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Garamendi
CA • D
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Garcia (TX)
TX • D
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Fitzpatrick
PA • R
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Aguilar
CA • D
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Amo
RI • D
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Ansari
AZ • D
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Auchincloss
MA • D
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Balint
VT • D
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Barragan
CA • D
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Beatty
OH • D
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Bell
MO • D
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Bera
CA • D
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Beyer
VA • D
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Bishop
GA • D
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Bonamici
OR • D
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Boyle (PA)
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Brown
OH • D
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Brownley
CA • D
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Budzinski
IL • D
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Bynum
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Carbajal
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Carson
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Carter (LA)
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Casar
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Case
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Casten
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Castor (FL)
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Castro (TX)
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Cherfilus-McCormick
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Chu
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Clark (MA)
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Clarke (NY)
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Cleaver
MO • D
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Clyburn
SC • D
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Conaway
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Correa
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Costa
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Courtney
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Craig
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Crockett
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Crow
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Davids (KS)
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Davis (IL)
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Dean (PA)
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DeGette
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CT • D
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DelBene
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Deluzio
PA • D
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DeSaulnier
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Dexter
OR • D
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Dingell
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Doggett
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Elfreth
MD • D
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Escobar
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Evans (PA)
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Fields
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Fletcher
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Foster
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Frankel, Lois
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Garcia (IL)
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Gomez
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Hayes
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Houlahan
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Hoyle (OR)
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Garcia (CA)
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McGarvey
KY • D
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McGovern
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McIver
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Meeks
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Menendez
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Meng
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Mfume
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Min
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Moore (WI)
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Morelle
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Morrison
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Moskowitz
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Moulton
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Mrvan
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Mullin
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Nadler
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Neal
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Neguse
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Norcross
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Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
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Ocasio-Cortez
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Omar
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Pallone
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Panetta
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Pappas
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Pelosi
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Peters
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Pettersen
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Pingree
ME • D
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Pocan
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Pressley
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Quigley
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Ramirez
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Raskin
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Riley (NY)
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Rivas
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Ross
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Ruiz
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Ryan
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Scanlon
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