Bipartisan Background Checks Act
Great Seal of the United States
Long titleTo require a background check for every firearm sale.
Announced inthe 117th United States Congress
Number of co-sponsors210
Legislative history

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act is a proposed United States law that would establish new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties. It would prohibit a firearm transfer between private parties until a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer conducts a successful background check.[1][2]

Background

Gun violence in the United States

Gun violence in the United States results in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries annually. In 2018, the most recent year for which data is available as of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Center for Health Statistics reported 38,390 deaths by firearm, of which 24,432 were by suicide, and 13,958 were homicides. The rate of firearm deaths per 100,000 people rose from 10.3 per 100,000 in 1999 to 12 per 100,000 in 2017, with 109 people dying per day; the figure was 11.9 per 100,000 in 2018. In 2010, there were 19,392 firearm-related suicides, and 11,078 firearm-related homicides in the U.S. In 2010, 358 murders were reported involving a rifle, while 6,009 were reported involving a handgun; another 1,939 were reported with an unspecified type of firearm.

Provisions

Background Check Requirements

This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., individuals who are not federally licensed as gun professionals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm while conducting a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.[3]

Legislative history

As of March 12, 2021:

Congress Short title Bill number(s) Date introduced Sponsor(s) # of cosponsors Latest status
116th Congress Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 H.R. 8 January 8, 2019 Mike Thompson

(D-CA)

 232 Passed in the House (240–190). [4]
Background Check Expansion Act of 2019 S. 42 January 8, 2019 Chris Murphy

(D-CT)

 41 Died in Committee.
117th Congress Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 H.R. 8 March 1, 2021 Mike Thompson

(D-CA)

 210 Passed in the House (227–203).[5]
Background Check Expansion Act of 2021 S. 529 March 3, 2021 Chris Murphy

(D-CT)

 45 Referred to Committees of Jurisdiction.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Matthew. "House passes bills to expand background checks for gun sales and close 'Charleston loophole'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  2. ↑ Daniella Diaz and Jessica Dean (11 March 2021). "House passes gun legislation that would expand background checks". CNN. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  3. ↑ Thompson, Mike (2021-03-11). "H.R.8 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  4. ↑ "4 Things to Know About the Bipartisan Background Checks Act". Education Votes. 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  5. ↑ "House passes gun legislation that would expand background checks". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-30.

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