Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) reintroduced the Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act, legislation that would require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to publish detailed annual reports on gun dealers who violate federal firearm laws and the outcomes of related enforcement actions.
“Far too often, gun dealers who break the law continue operating with little to no accountability, putting our communities at risk and fueling the gun violence epidemic in this country,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “When firearm dealers violate federal law, there must be real consequences. My bill will ensure greater transparency by requiring the ATF to release clear, reliable data on these violations and enforcement actions, because preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands is critical to keeping our communities safe.”
“To end the cycles of violence in our communities, we must be fully informed about licensed gun dealers who have been penalized for breaking federal firearm laws,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy for Brady. “The Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act will require the ATF to publicize data on dealer inspections and violations, increasing transparency and ensuring that the ATF is holding irresponsible gun dealers accountable. Brady thanks Representative Brownley for introducing this bill that will help change the gun industry, holding dealers accountable who are arming the gun violence epidemic.”
While ATF is tasked with investigating and holding gun dealers accountable for violations of federal firearm laws, many dealers continue to operate despite serious infractions, often without having their Federal Firearms License (FFL) revoked or facing other disciplinary action.
Before the Biden Administration, ATF released very little data on the number of gun dealers that have violated federal law, and the outcomes of disciplinary actions because of those violations. From October 2021 to December 2024, firearm compliance inspection results were published monthly. With President Trump back in office, no data has been released, signaling that ATF is moving away from the increased transparency established under the previous administration.
Specifically, the Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act would require the ATF to annually report:
- The number of ATF inspections completed each month, by month.
- The number of federal firearm licenses revoked that year, including names and locations of gun dealers whose licenses have been revoked.
- The number of federal firearm licenses not renewed in lieu of revocation that year, including names and locations of gun dealers whose licenses have not been renewed.
- The number of federal firearms licensee inspections resulting in a Qualifying Violation for a revocation, regardless of inspection outcome.
- The number of Inspections with Qualifying Violations where revocation was ultimately not pursued.
- The number of non-revocation remedial actions taken by the ATF.
This bill is endorsed by Brady and Newtown Action Alliance.
Read the full text of the bill here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Gun Safety, Gun Violence Prevention