H.R. 4251: Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act of 2025, aims to enhance oversight and reporting related to federal firearm licenses. Below is a summary of its main provisions:

Annual Report by the Attorney General

The bill requires the Attorney General to submit a written report annually to Congress detailing the actions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding the issuance and revocation of firearm licenses. The report will include:

• The number of inspections completed each month.
• The number of inspections that found at least one serious violation.
• The number of licenses revoked, not renewed, or surrendered after inspections.
• Details about each licensee whose license was revoked, not renewed, or surrendered, including their name, location, and the date and nature of the violation.
• The number of inspections where serious violations were identified but the license was not revoked, along with reasons for the decision.
• The geographical distribution of violations and actions taken.

The report is to be published on the ATF's website as well.

Definition of Serious Violations

The bill defines serious violations that could lead to revocation of a license. These violations include:

• Refusal to allow an inspection.
• Illegal firearm transfers.
• Failure to wait for specified periods before transferring a firearm.
• Falsifying records.
• Not responding to trace requests.
• Failing to report multiple sales or losses of firearms.

Study by the Comptroller General

The bill mandates a study by the Comptroller General of the United States to evaluate the ATF's operations concerning the issuance and revocation of licenses. This study will focus on:

• Identifying any systemic failures in enforcement.
• The Attorney General’s discretion in not pursuing revocations.
• Geographic variability in enforcement actions.
• Outcomes related to license revocation, including the timelines and reasons behind them.

A report summarizing the findings of this study must be submitted to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment.

Overall Objective

The main objective of this legislation is to improve accountability and transparency regarding the activities of gun dealers and the ATF. By requiring comprehensive reporting and an independent study, the bill seeks to ensure that any violations related to gun sales and licensing are properly documented and addressed.

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