Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2544
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2016-02-11
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Border security and unlawful immigration

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Domestic violence and child abuse

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Firearms and explosives

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Immigration status and procedures

Law enforcement administration and funding

Mental health

Organized crime

Smuggling and trafficking

Terrorism

U.S. Sentencing Commission

Violent crime

Visas and passports
Latest action: action_date: 2016-02-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S877-879)

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-02-11
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016</b></p> <p>This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and punish the straw purchasing of firearms. A straw purchase occurs when: (1) a person buys a firearm from an unlicensed seller on behalf of a person prohibited by law from possessing one, or (2) a person buys a firearm from a licensed dealer on behalf of another person.</p> <p>Any person that commits, attempts, or conspires to commit a straw purchasing offense is subject to a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years (25 years if the firearm is used to commit a crime of violence). </p> <p>The bill expands the penalty for committing a firearms trafficking offense. Individuals who commit such an offense are subject to a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years. Under current law, the penalty is a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years.</p> <p>The U.S. Sentencing Commission shall amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements to reflect increased penalties for persons convicted of straw purchasing firearms or firearms trafficking offenses. </p> <p>Under current law, it is unlawful to import firearms into the United States with the intent to engage in illegal activity. This bill extends the prohibition to the exportation of firearms.</p> <p>The bill makes it unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such person intends to transfer the firearm or ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking offense.</p> <p>Neither the Department of Justice (DOJ) nor its law enforcement coordinate agencies shall facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to an individual if any DOJ law enforcement officer involved knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient is an agent of a drug cartel, unless U.S. law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times.

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2544 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 11, 2016 Mr. Leahy (for himself, Ms. Collins , Mr. Durbin , and Mr. Kirk ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To increase public safety by punishing and deterring firearms trafficking.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016 . 2. Anti-straw purchasing and firearms trafficking amendments (a) In general Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 932. Straw purchasing of firearms (a) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) the term crime of violence — (A) has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(3); and (B) includes a felony offense under the laws of a State that meets the criteria described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such section 924(c)(3); (2) the term drug trafficking crime — (A) has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(2); and (B) includes a felony punishable under the law of a State for which the conduct constituting the offense would constitute a felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq. ), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act ( 21 U.S.C. 951 et seq. ), or chapter 705 of title 46; (3) the term Federal crime of terrorism has the meaning given that term in section 2332b(g)(5); and (4) the term purchase includes the receipt of any firearm by a person who does not own the firearm— (A) by way of pledge or pawn as security for the payment or repayment of money; or (B) on consignment. (b) Violation It shall be unlawful for any person (other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer) to knowingly purchase, or attempt or conspire to purchase, any firearm in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce— (1) from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer for, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of any other person, known or unknown; or (2) from any person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer for, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of any other person, known or unknown, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such other person— (A) is under indictment for, or has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year; (B) is a fugitive from justice; (C) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 802 )); (D) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution; (E) is an alien who— (i) is illegally or unlawfully in the United States; or (ii) except as provided in section 922(y)(2), has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(26) ); (F) has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; (G) having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship; (H) is subject to a court order that restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child, except that this subparagraph shall only apply to a court order that— (i) was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had the opportunity to participate; and (ii) (I) includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of such intimate partner or child; or (II) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury; (I) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; (J) (i) does not reside in any State; and (ii) is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States; (K) intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm to a person described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (J); or (L) intends to— (i) use, carry, possess, or sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm in furtherance of a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking crime; or (ii) export the firearm in violation of law. (c) Penalty (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. (2) Use in crimes of violence If a violation of subsection (b) is committed knowing or with reasonable cause to believe that any firearm involved will be used to commit a crime of violence, the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 25 years. (d) Exceptions Subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to any firearm that is lawfully purchased by a person— (1) to be given as a bona fide gift to a recipient who provided no service or tangible thing of value to acquire the firearm; (2) to be given to a bona fide winner of an organized raffle, contest, or auction conducted in accordance with law and sponsored by a national, State, or local organization or association; (3) to be given as a bona fide gratuity to a hunting guide; (4) to be given as a bona fide bonus to an employee as the result of lawful services performed in the course of an employment relationship; or (5) to be given as a bona fide commemorative award or honorarium, unless the purchaser knows or has reasonable cause to believe the recipient of the firearm is prohibited by Federal law from possessing, receiving, selling, shipping, transporting, transferring, or otherwise disposing of the firearm. 933. Trafficking in firearms (a) In general It shall be unlawful for any person to— (1) ship, transport, transfer, cause to be transported, or otherwise dispose of any firearm to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if such person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the use, carrying, or possession of a firearm by the recipient would be in violation of any Federal or State law punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding 1 year; (2) receive from another person any firearm in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if the recipient knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such receipt would be in violation of any Federal or State law punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding 1 year; or (3) attempt or conspire to commit the conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2). (b) Penalty Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. 934. Forfeiture and fines (a) Forfeiture (1) In general Any person convicted of a violation of section 932 or 933 shall forfeit to the United States, irrespective of any provision of State law— (A) any property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds the person obtained, directly or indirectly, as the result of such violation; and (B) any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of, such violation, except that for any forfeiture of any firearm or ammunition pursuant to this section, section 924(d) shall apply. (2) Imposition The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of a violation of section 932 or 933, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed pursuant to section 932 or 933, that the person forfeit to the United States all property described in paragraph (1). (b) Fines A defendant who derives profits or other proceeds from an offense under section 932 or 933 may be fined not more than the greater of— (1) the fine otherwise authorized by this part; or (2) the amount equal to twice the gross profits or other proceeds of the offense under section 932 or 933. . (b) Title III authorization Section 2516(1)(n) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking sections 922 and 924 and inserting section 922, 924, 932, or 933 . (c) Racketeering amendment Section 1961(1)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting section 932 (relating to straw purchasing), section 933 (relating to trafficking in firearms), before section 1028 . (d) Money laundering amendment Section 1956(c)(7)(D) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 924(n) and inserting section 924(n), 932, or 933 . (e) Directive to sentencing commission Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that persons convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code, and other offenses applicable to the straw purchases and firearms trafficking of firearms are subject to increased penalties in comparison to those currently provided by the guidelines and policy statements for such straw purchasing and firearms trafficking offenses. In its review, the Commission shall consider, in particular, an appropriate amendment to reflect the intent of Congress that straw purchasers without significant criminal histories receive sentences that are sufficient to deter participation in such activities. The Commission shall also review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to reflect the intent of Congress that a person convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code, who is affiliated with a gang, cartel, organized crime ring, or other such enterprise should be subject to higher penalties than an otherwise unaffiliated individual. (f) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 932. Straw purchasing of firearms. 933. Trafficking in firearms. 934. Forfeiture and fines. . 3. Amendments to Section 922( d ) Section 922(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (8), by striking or at the end; (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by striking the matter following paragraph (9) and inserting the following: (10) intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm or ammunition to a person described in any of paragraphs (1) through (9); or (11) intends— (A) to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm or ammunition in furtherance of a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking offense, as such terms are defined in section 932(a); or (B) to export the firearm or ammunition in violation of law. This subsection shall not apply with respect to the sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector who pursuant to subsection (b) of section 925 is not precluded from dealing in firearms or ammunition, or to a person who has been granted relief from disabilities pursuant to subsection (c) of section 925. . 4. Amendments to Section 924( a ) Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking (d), (g), ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (8) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (d) or (g) of section 922 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. . 5. Amendments to Section 924( d ) Section 924(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting 932, or 933, after section 924, ; and (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (G) any offense under section 932 or 933. . 6. Amendments to Section 924( h ) Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following: (h) (1) Whoever knowingly receives or transfers a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such firearm or ammunition will be used to commit a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking crime (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)), or a crime under the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq. ), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. ), or the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act ( 21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq. ), shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. (2) No term of imprisonment imposed on a person under this subsection shall run concurrently with any term of imprisonment imposed on the person under section 932. . 7. Amendments to Section 924( k ) Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (k) and inserting the following: (k) (1) A person who smuggles or knowingly brings into the United States a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, with intent to engage in or to promote conduct that— (A) is punishable under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act ( 21 U.S.C. 951 et seq. ), or chapter 705 of title 46; or (B) constitutes a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking crime (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)), shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. (2) A person who smuggles or knowingly takes out of the United States a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, with intent to engage in or to promote conduct that— (A) would be punishable under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act ( 21 U.S.C. 951 et seq. ), or chapter 705 of title 46, if the conduct had occurred within the United States; or (B) would constitute a Federal crime of terrorism or a crime of violence (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)) for which the person may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, if the conduct had occurred within the United States, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. . 8. Prohibition on firearms transfers to agents of drug cartels The Department of Justice, and any of its law enforcement coordinate agencies, shall not conduct or otherwise facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to an individual if any law enforcement officer employed by the Department of Justice involved with the transfer knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient of the firearm is an agent of a drug cartel, unless law enforcement personnel of the United States continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times. 9. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to allow the establishment of a Federal system of registration of firearms, firearms ownership, or firearms transactions or dispositions.