Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today, Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), released the following statement on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ final rule expanding required background checks before firearm sales.
"Today’s rule is a leap forward in closing dangerous, decades-old loopholes that have allowed many firearm buyers to bypass background checks,” said Thompson. “There’s no doubt this rule will help save lives by keeping guns out of dangerous hands.”
Previously, only sellers “engaged in the business” of firearm dealing were required to register as a Federal firearm licensee (FFL) and therefore conduct background checks for firearm sales. Today’s rule expands the definition of "engaged in the business" of dealing firearms to anyone who sells firearms to earn a profit, greatly expanding the number of firearms dealers legally required to register as FFLs. Firearms sellers previously operating without running background checks will be obligated to perform them before selling a firearm to a buyer.
This rule was made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most consequential gun violence prevention legislation signed into law in decades which Rep. Thompson was proud to help pass.
Chairman Thompson has long supported expanding background checks for firearm sales. Rep. Thompson has introduced background check legislation every Congress since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting which killed 20 children and six adult staff members.