H.R. 4174: ATF Data and Anti-Trafficking Accountability Act

This bill, known as the ATF Data and Anti-Trafficking Accountability Act, proposes several measures aimed at enhancing the transparency and availability of firearm trace data. The Act mandates the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to collect and publish specific data related to firearm tracing on an annual basis. Key features of the bill include:

1. Publication of Firearm Trace Data

The Attorney General is required to publish a comprehensive report every year that includes:

• Aggregated Firearm Trace Data: Information collected on firearms traced by the Bureau, categorized by the type of license held by the source.
• Source Licensees: A list of the 200 licensees from whom the highest number of traced firearms originated, detailing:
• The total number of firearms traced, including categories such as handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
• The cities where these firearms were recovered.
• The average time it took for the firearms to be involved in a crime.
• The types of crimes for which the firearms were used, if data is available.
• The number of firearms transferred in multiple sales.
• The number of firearms reported as lost or stolen by each licensee.
• Aggregated Data on Traced Firearms: Information on firearms traced by varying levels of tracking, including:
• Distribution of traced firearms among licensees by state and type.
• Data related to metropolitan areas with high homicide rates, detailing recovered firearms.
• Firearms trace data associated with multiple sales.
• Data on Firearms Trafficking: An overview of trafficking patterns and investigations, focusing on:
• Patterns of firearms trafficking in the U.S.
• Investigations undertaken by the Department of Justice.
• The role of unlicensed sales in trafficking.

2. Specific Data Requirements

The report must include detailed statistics, such as:

• The number of firearms traced back to specific licensees.
• Data on firearms that were lost or stolen from licensees.
• Information on firearms that did not have serial numbers, referred to as "privately made firearms."
• An analysis of law enforcement agencies requesting firearm traces.

3. Definitions Clarified

The bill provides definitions for key terms to ensure clarity, including:

• Time-to-Crime: The period from the initial sale of a firearm to its recovery by law enforcement.
• Multiple Sale: The sale of two or more firearms at once or within a short time frame that must be reported to the Attorney General.
• Source Licensee: The licensed seller responsible for the initial sale of a firearm to an unlicensed person.

Relevant Companies

• None found