Handgun Licensing and Registration Act of 2013

To provide for the mandatory licensing and registration of handguns. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Handgun Licensing and Registration Act of 2013 2. Federal handgun licensing and registration system to apply in any State that does not have a handgun licensing and registration system that meets certain requirements (a) In general Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 932. Licensing and registration of handguns (a) (1) The Attorney General of the United States shall establish a Federal system for the licensing and registration of all handguns owned, possessed, or controlled in the United States, which shall include a method for easily retrieving information sufficient to identify— (A) each resident of a State to which this subsection applies who owns, possesses, or controls a handgun; and (B) the handgun. (2) It shall be unlawful for a person to own, possess, or control a handgun in a State to which this subsection applies unless the person— (A) is licensed to do so by the system established pursuant to paragraph (1); and (B) has registered the handgun with a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency. (b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in a State if there is in effect a certification by the Attorney General of the United States that the State has in effect a system for the licensing and registration of handguns owned, possessed, or controlled in the State that— (1) includes a method for easily retrieving information sufficient to identify— (A) each resident of the State who owns, possesses, or controls a handgun in the State; and (B) the handgun; and (2) at a minimum, imposes criminal penalties on any person who owns, possesses, or controls a handgun in the State, and who— (A) has not completed training in firearms safety; (B) is not licensed by the State to possess a handgun; or (C) has not registered the handgun with a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency. (c) A certification under subsection (b) with respect to a State shall have no force or effect on or after the date the Attorney General finds, after an opportunity for a hearing on the record, that the State does not have in effect the system described in subsection (b). (d) The Attorney General shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section. . (b) Penalties Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: (7) Whoever knowingly violates section 931(a)(2) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not less than 15 years, or both. The court shall not suspend a sentence of imprisonment imposed under this paragraph or impose a probationary sentence under this paragraph. . (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 932. Licensing and registration of handguns. (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to conduct engaged in after the 2-year period that begins with the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Handgun Licensing and Registration Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to direct the Attorney General to establish a federal system for the licensing and registration of all handguns in the United States, including a method for easily retrieving information sufficient to identify each resident of a state who owns, possesses, or controls a handgun and each such handgun. Prohibits the ownership, possession, or control of a handgun in a state by a person who: (1) is not licensed under such system; and (2) has not registered the handgun with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency. Provides for a fine and/or imprisonment not less than 15 years for violations. Prohibits the court from suspending a sentence of imprisonment or imposing a probationary sentence for anyone who knowingly violates such prohibition. Exempts states the Attorney General certifies have in effect such a licensing and registration system that imposes criminal penalties on anyone who owns, possesses, or controls a handgun and who: (1) has not completed training in firearms safety; (2) is not licensed by the state to possess a handgun; or (3) has not registered the handgun with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency.