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H.R. 3823: Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement Act

This bill, named the Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement Act or TRACE Act, aims to enhance the regulation of firearms in the United States to prevent illegal sales and trafficking. The bill outlines several key provisions:

1. Marking Firearms

Within 12 months of the bill's enactment, the Attorney General is required to establish regulations mandating that every firearm manufactured in the U.S. after the effective date be marked with a second serial number. This serial number must be located inside the firearm's receiver or be visible only under infrared light, in addition to the standard serial number already required by law.

2. Redefining Firearm Components

The bill proposes amendments to the definition of certain terms in the law related to firearms. This includes:

Expanding the definition of receiver to include unfinished frames and receivers that can easily be converted into functional firearms.
Clarifying that the term manufacturing firearms includes assembling firearms from parts that are sold to the public.

3. Background Check Record Preservation

The bill requires that criminal background check records be preserved for 180 days. The Attorney General will need to implement regulations to enforce this change within 180 days of the law’s enactment.

4. Inventory Check Requirement for Dealers

Licensed firearms dealers will be required to conduct a physical inventory check of their firearms stock. Regulations for these checks will be established by the Attorney General.

5. Eliminating Certain Funding Limitations

The bill seeks to revise previous appropriations acts to prevent restrictions on funding for activities related to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This includes eliminating certain provisos that may limit the use of appropriated funds for enforcing specific statutes related to firearms checks.