We have received text from S. 2155: Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2025. This bill was received on 2025-06-24, and currently has 11 cosponsors.
Here is a short summary of the bill:
The
Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2025
aims to enhance accountability for licensed firearms dealers through a series of amendments to existing laws. Below is a summary of its key provisions:
Compliance Inspections
The bill proposes to increase the frequency of compliance inspections for firearms dealers from once to three times a year. This aims to ensure that dealers adhere to federal regulations concerning the sale and distribution of firearms.
Increased Penalties
Penalties for firearms licensees who violate laws will be increased. Specifically, the maximum imprisonment term for certain violations will go from one year to five years. The bill also introduces harsher penalties for recordkeeping offenses that facilitate gun trafficking, allowing for fines and prison sentences of up to ten years in some cases.
License Suspension and Civil Penalties
The bill grants the Attorney General the authority to suspend or revoke firearms dealer licenses and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 for violations of the Gun Control Act. This can occur if a dealer fails to adhere to federal regulations or does not provide secure storage for firearms.
Termination of License upon Felony Conviction
It stipulates that if firearms dealers are convicted of felonies, their licenses will be terminated immediately rather than waiting for the conviction to be finalized.
Additional Personnel
The bill allows the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to hire at least 80 additional personnel to facilitate the increased inspections mandated by the legislation.
Inventory Management
Licensed dealers may be required to conduct physical inventories and report them if there are unlawful transfers of firearms or if ten or more firearms traced to crimes are linked back to their inventory.
Issuance of Licenses
The bill empowers the Attorney General to deny applications for licenses based on potential dangers to public safety, or if an applicant is deemed unlikely to comply with the law.
Liability Standards
The standards for establishing liability for firearms dealers are revised to eliminate the requirement that violations must be willful, potentially making it easier to hold dealers accountable for infractions.
Biennial Reports
The ATF is required to submit biennial reports to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of this Act, including recommendations for ensuring compliance and addressing noncompliance among firearms dealers.
Severability Clause
The bill contains a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the Act is deemed invalid, the rest of the Act will remain in effect.
Relevant Companies
- Ruger (RGR) - A firearm manufacturer that may face increased scrutiny and compliance requirements under this legislation.
- Smith & Wesson
Senator Edward J. Markey Bill Proposals
Here are some bills which have recently been proposed by Senator Edward J. Markey:
- S.2201: LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025
- S.2165: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the distribution of 3D printer plans for the printing of firearms, and for other purposes.
- S.2161: NRC Office of Public Engagement and Participation Act of 2025
- S.2157: Gun Violence Prevention Through Financial Intelligence Act
- S.2156: MASS Act
- S.2155: Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2025
You can track bills proposed by Senator Edward J. Markey on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Markey.
This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative's disclaimers for more information.
