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US HR5874

US HR5874
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act


summary

Introduced
10/31/2025
In Committee
10/31/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

119th Congress

Bill Summary

A BILL To ensure that certain operations, functions, and services of the Federal Government relating to enforcement of firearms laws and firearm export licensing continue during a lapse in appropriations.

AI Summary

This bill ensures that certain government operations related to firearms continue functioning during a government shutdown, even when normal funding is lapsed. Specifically, the bill mandates that four key firearm-related operations will be considered essential services during a government shutdown: the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) run by the FBI, which processes background checks for firearm purchases; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) Enforcement Programs and Services Directorate; the Bureau of Industry and Commerce's firearms export licensing activities; and the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls' firearms export licensing processes. By classifying these operations as essential services involving human safety and property protection, the bill ensures that employees in these roles will be considered "excepted employees" who continue working during a government shutdown, thus maintaining critical firearm-related regulatory and licensing functions that might otherwise be suspended when federal funding lapses.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (42)

Ben Cline (R)* Nicholas Begich (R),  Sheri Biggs (R),  Lauren Boebert (R),  Eric Burlison (R),  Buddy Carter (R),  John Carter (R),  Michael Cloud (R),  Mike Collins (R),  James Comer (R),  Scott DesJarlais (R),  Troy Downing (R),  Mike Ezell (R),  Randy Feenstra (R),  Randy Fine (R),  Scott Fitzgerald (R),  Russ Fulcher (R),  Brandon Gill (R),  Lance Gooden (R),  Harriet Hageman (R),  Pat Harrigan (R),  Andy Harris (R),  Mark Harris (R),  Clay Higgins (R),  Wesley Hunt (R),  Jeff Hurd (R),  Ronny Jackson (R),  Bob Latta (R),  Nancy Mace (R),  Tracey Mann (R),  Richard McCormick (R),  John McGuire (R),  Mary Miller (R),  Barry Moore (R),  Riley Moore (R),  August Pfluger (R),  Michael Rulli (R),  Jefferson Shreve (R),  Adrian Smith (R),  Pete Stauber (R),  Randy Weber (R),  Daniel Webster (R), 

Last Action

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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. (on 10/31/2025)

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