Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2017

To prevent gun trafficking. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2017 2. Firearms trafficking (a) In general Chapter 44 932. Trafficking in firearms (a) Offenses Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any person, in or affecting interstate commerce— (1) to purchase, attempt to purchase, or transfer a firearm, with the intent to deliver the firearm to another person who the transferor knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is prohibited by Federal or State law from possessing a firearm; (2) in purchasing, attempting to purchase, or transferring a firearm, to intentionally provide false or misleading material information on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives firearms transaction record form; or (3) to knowingly direct, promote, or facilitate conduct that violates paragraph (1) or (2). (b) Gift exceptions Subsection (a) shall not apply to a firearm that is— (1) lawfully acquired by a person to be given to another person not prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal or State law as a gift; or (2) lawfully received or otherwise acquired by a court-appointed trustee, receiver, or conservator for, or on behalf of, an estate or creditor or by a person to carry out a bequest, or an acquisition by intestate succession under the laws of the State of residence of the person. (c) Penalties (1) In general Any person who violates this section shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. (2) Organizer enhancement If a violation of subsection (a) is committed by a person in concert with 5 or more other persons with respect to whom such person occupies a position of organizer, a supervisory position, or any other position of management, such person may be sentenced to an additional term of imprisonment of not more than 5 consecutive years. (3) Conspiracy Any person who conspires to commit an offense described in this section shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 44 932. Trafficking in firearms. . (c) Directive to the sentencing commission (1) In general Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of offenses under section 932 of title 18, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)). (2) Requirement In carrying out this section, the Commission shall review the penalty structure that the guidelines currently provide based on the number of firearms involved in the offense and determine whether any changes to that penalty structure are appropriate in order to reflect the intent of Congress that such penalties reflect the gravity of the offense.

Summary: Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2017 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make trafficking in firearms a crime. Specifically, it prohibits: purchasing or transferring a firearm with the intent to deliver it to a prohibited person; providing false or misleading material information in connection with a firearm purchase or transfer; and directing, promoting, or facilitating such prohibited conduct. The prohibition does not apply to a firearm lawfully acquired to give as a gift or lawfully received as a gift. A person who commits a gun trafficking offense is subject to a prison term of up to 20 years (or 25 years if such person also acted as an organizer). A person who conspires to commit a gun trafficking offense is subject to a prison term of up to 10 years.  The U.S. Sentencing Commission must review and, if appropriate, amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements that apply to persons convicted of trafficking in firearms.