Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2323
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2015-11-19
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives

Immigration status and procedures

Travel and tourism

Visas and passports
Latest action: action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8164)

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-11-19
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015</b></p> <p>The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States.</p> <p>Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances. <br /></p> <p>This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. <br /></p> <p>The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession. </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2323 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 19, 2015 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Booker , and Ms. Hirono ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To clarify the definition of nonimmigrant for purposes of chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015 . 2. Nonimmigrant clarification Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (d)(5)(B), by inserting or pursuant to the Visa Waiver Program established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1187 ) before the semicolon at the end; (2) in subsection (g)(5)(B), by inserting or pursuant to the Visa Waiver Program established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1187 ) before the semicolon at the end; and (3) in subsection (y)— (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting or pursuant to the Visa Waiver Program after visas ; (B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or pursuant to the Visa Waiver Program established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1187 ) after visa ; and (C) in paragraph (3)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting or pursuant to the Visa Waiver Program established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1187 ) after visa .