Fairness in Firearm Testing Act

Bill: 113-hr-339
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11]
Introduced: 2013-01-22
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Criminal justice information and records

Evidence and witnesses

Firearms and explosives

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media
Latest action: action_date: 2013-02-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, And Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-01-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Fairness in Firearm Testing Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to make a video recording of the entire process of its examination and testing of an item for the purpose of determining whether the item is a firearm (and if so, the type of firearm) or ammunition. Bars ATF from editing or erasing any such recording.</p> <p>Directs ATF to make available a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording: (1) at the request of a person who claims an ownership interest in such item, and (2) to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving such item. Provides that an item which ATF has determined is a firearm or ammunition shall not be admissible as evidence unless: (1) ATF has complied with the requirements of this Act to make its digital video disc available, or (2) such compliance has been waived in writing by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence.</p>

tv_txt: I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 339 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 22, 2013 Mr. Gingrey of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Westmoreland , Mr. Stockman , Mr. Roe of Tennessee , and Mrs. Blackburn ) introduced the following bill; which was 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 A BILL To require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to make video recordings of the examination and testing of firearms and ammunition, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness in Firearm Testing Act . 2. Video recording of examination and testing of firearms and ammunition by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Section 1111 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 531 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (e) Additional responsibilities regarding examination and testing of firearms and ammunition (1) Video recording required The Bureau shall make a video recording of the entire process of the examination and testing by the Bureau of an item for the purpose of determining, pursuant to section 921(a)(3), 922(o), 922(p), or subsection (a)(3), (a)(4), (d), or (e) of section 925 of title 18, United States Code, or section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, whether the item is a firearm and if so, the type of firearm, or of determining pursuant to section 921(a)(17) of title 18, United States Code, whether the item is ammunition, and shall not edit or erase any recording made pursuant to this paragraph. (2) Availability (A) To owners On request of a person who claims an ownership interest in an item with respect to which a recording is made under paragraph (1), the Bureau shall make available to the person, without charge, a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording. (B) To defendants The Bureau shall make available to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving an item with respect to which a recording is made under paragraph (1) a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording. (3) Admissibility as evidence An item which the Bureau has determined is a firearm or a type of firearm or ammunition pursuant to any provision of law specified in paragraph (1) shall not be admissible as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding unless— (A) the Bureau has complied with paragraph (2) with respect to the item; or (B) such compliance has been waived, in writing, by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence. .