Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-2296
Sponsor: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-5]
Introduced: 2009-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Civil actions and liability
Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Retail and wholesale trades
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the civil penalties for violations of firearms law and the procedures for assessing such penalties. Requires fines to be based upon the nature and severity of the violation, the size of the firearms business involved, and the prior record of the firearm's licensee. Prohibits consideration of the amount of fines or license revocations imposed by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in the retention, promotion, or transfer of such agents.
 
Revises the definition of &quot;willfully&quot; for purposes of firearms violations and standards for criminal violations of firearms recordkeeping requirements.
 
Requires the Attorney General to: (1) make preliminary determinations on firearms license applications and notify applicants in writing of a proposed denial; and (2) establish guidelines for ATF inspections, examinations, or investigations of possible firearms violations.
 
Permits an owner of a firearms business whose license is expired, surrendered, or revoked 60 days to liquidate inventory.
 
Allows purchasers of existing firearms businesses the right to cure firearms violations attributable to such businesses.
 
Allows the transfer, possession, and importation of machineguns for industry testing, research and training, national security services, and motion picture or television production.
 
Eliminates the requirement of written permission for the use of a handgun for lawful purposes by a minor (under age 18) where a parent or legal guardian is present at all times during such use. 
 
Prohibits the Attorney General from electronically retrieving inactive firearms licensee information by name or personal identification code.
 
Directs the Attorney General to authorize the importation of all frames or receivers of rifles, or barrels for firearms other than handguns, if the importation is for repair or replacement purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-05-07
text: Introduced in House