Bill > HR4135

Introduced Session

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015 The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States. 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. 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. 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.

Committee Categories

Tammy Duckworth (D)*,  John Carney (D),  Steve Cohen (D),  John Conyers (D),  Elijah Cummings (D),  John Delaney (D),  Mark DeSaulnier (D),  Eliot Engel (D),  Elizabeth Esty (D),  Bill Foster (D),  Lois Frankel (D),  Alan Grayson (D),  Rubén Hinojosa (D),  Michael Honda (D),  Sheila Jackson-Lee (D),  Hank Johnson (D),  Rick Larsen (D),  Zoe Lofgren (D),  Alan Lowenthal (D),  Stephen Lynch (D),  Gregory Meeks (D),  Patrick Murphy (D),  Jerry Nadler (D),  Ed Perlmutter (D),  Mike Quigley (D),  Adam Schiff (D),  David Scott (D),  Jackie Speier (D),  Eric Swalwell (D),  Mark Takai (D),  Chris Van Hollen (D), 

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (on 01/15/2016)

Official Document