H.R. 4223: Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act

This bill, known as the Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act, aims to change certain laws that currently limit the government’s ability to collect and maintain information related to firearms. Here is a summary of the key points outlined in the bill:

1. Purpose of the Bill

The main goal of this legislation is to repeal specific provisions referred to as the Tiahrt Amendments, which the bill argues impede law enforcement and research efforts related to firearms. It asserts these amendments hinder the development of effective policies to combat illegal gun trafficking and crime.

2. Key Findings

The bill states several findings that argue against the Tiahrt Amendments:

• The amendments prevent valuable information collection and the establishment of effective policies against illegal guns.
• They require the destruction of most background check records within 24 hours, making it difficult for law enforcement to track firearm purchases.
• They stop the Federal Government from requiring gun shops to perform annual inventory audits.
• Research from various institutions points to an increase in gun trafficking due to these amendments.
• Significant gun violence statistics are presented, highlighting the societal impact of firearms and the complications in tracing gun ownership.

3. Changes Proposed by the Bill

The bill proposes several specific changes to current laws:

• It aims to repeal restrictions on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from processing and maintaining database information related to firearms.
• The prohibition on processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests related to arson, explosives incidents, or firearm traces would be eliminated.
• It would remove limitations on requiring firearms dealers to conduct physical checks of their inventory, allowing for better oversight.
• It allows for the consolidation of firearm acquisition and disposition records maintained by federal firearms licensees, which could facilitate tracking and accountability.
• Most significantly, the bill repeals the requirement to destroy instant criminal background check records within 24 hours, enabling longer retention of data that could assist law enforcement.

4. Implications for Law Enforcement and Research

The repeal of these provisions is intended to aid law enforcement agencies and contribute to safer communities by providing better access to data necessary for tracking illegal firearms. The bill suggests that gathering this data will enhance the ability to enforce existing gun laws and develop new policies based on empirical evidence.

Relevant Companies

None found