Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act

Bill: 118-s-1949
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-06-13
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Latest action: action_date: 2023-06-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-06-13
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p> <strong>Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act</strong></p> <p>This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using appropriated funds to purchase, receive, or store any firearm or ammunition. It also requires the IRS to transfer to the General Services Administration (GSA) any firearms or ammunition owned or under the control of the IRS. Within 30 days of such transfer, the GSA must initiate the sale or auction of any firearms to licensed dealers and the auction of any ammunition to the general public. </p> <p>The bill grants the Department of Justice authority over the administration and enforcement of criminal investigations with respect to the sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1949 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 13, 2023 Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from providing firearms and ammunition to its employees, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act . 2. Definitions For purposes of this Act: (1) Ammunition The term ammunition has the same meaning given such term under section 921(a)(17) of title 18, United States Code. (2) Commissioner The term Commissioner means the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. (3) Firearm The term firearm has the same meaning given such term under section 921(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code. 3. Prohibition on use of funds (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any fiscal year may be obligated or expended by the Commissioner to purchase, receive, or store any firearm or ammunition. (b) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date which is 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 4. Transfer of firearms and ammunition Not later than the date which is 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall transfer to the Administrator of General Services— (1) any firearms owned by, or under the control of, the Internal Revenue Service; and (2) any ammunition owned by, or under the control of, the Internal Revenue Service. 5. Sale of firearms (a) In general Not later than the date which is 30 days after the date on which the transfer described in section 4 has been completed, the Administrator of General Services shall— (1) initiate the sale or auction of any firearms described in paragraph (1) of such section to licensed dealers (as defined in section 921(a)(11) of title 18, United States Code); and (2) initiate the auction of any ammunition described in paragraph (2) of section 4 to members of the general public. (b) Proceeds Any proceeds from the sale or auction of property described in subsection (a) shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury for the sole purpose of deficit reduction. 6. Administration of criminal investigations by Attorney General (a) In general With respect to the administration and enforcement of— (1) any of the criminal provisions of the internal revenue laws, (2) any other criminal provisions of law relating to internal revenue for the enforcement of which the Secretary of the Treasury, as of the date of enactment of this Act, was responsible, or (3) any other law for which the Secretary of the Treasury, as of the date of enactment of this Act, delegated investigatory authority to the Internal Revenue Service, such administration and enforcement shall be performed by or under the supervision of the Attorney General. (b) Performance of transferred functions The Attorney General may make such provisions as the Attorney General determines appropriate to authorize the performance by any officer, employee, or agency of the Department of Justice of any function transferred to the Attorney General under this section. (c) Transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets to the Department of Justice Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there are transferred to the Department of Justice the authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service, which shall be maintained as a distinct entity within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, including the related functions of the Secretary of the Treasury. (d) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date which is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.