Congressman Dan Goldman Works to Protect Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers
Licensed Firearms Sellers Often Allowed to Continue Operating Despite Violating Federal Firearm License Law
Lax Enforcement Has Put Guns in Hands of Domestic Abusers, Drug Traffickers, and Violent Felons
Read the Bill Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) in introducing the ‘Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act,’ which would require the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to publish detailed annual reports on the number of gun dealers that have violated Federal Firearm License law and the outcomes of resulting disciplinary actions.
“For far too long, negligent firearm dealers have been flouting existing law and flooding our streets with weapons of war, endangering our communities and fueling the gun violence public health crisis,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Any firearm dealer who knowingly allows a gun to fall into the wrong hands must face consequences, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in ensuring the ATF holds reckless licensed gun dealers accountable for their dangerous business practices.”
While the ATF is charged with investigating and holding gun dealers who violate federal gun laws accountable, many gun dealers who violate the law continue to sell guns without having their Federal Firearm License revoked or without facing other disciplinary actions.
In June 2021, the Biden Administration issued guidance ordering ATF inspectors to implement a zero-tolerance policy against licensed Federal firearm dealers who willfully sell to prohibited purchasers or sell guns without conducting background checks. As a result, the ATF revoked more firearm licenses in 2022 than in any year since 2008.
The ‘Protecting Americans from Reckless Gun Dealers Act’ would require the ATF to annually report:
The number of ATF inspections completed each month.
The number of federal firearm licenses revoked that year, including names and locations of gun dealers whose licenses have been revoked.
The number of federal firearm licenses not renewed in lieu of revocation that year, including names and locations of gun dealers whose licenses have not been renewed.
The number of federal firearms licensee inspections resulting in a Qualifying Violation for a revocation, regardless of inspection outcome.
The number of Inspections with Qualifying Violations where revocation was ultimately not pursued.
The number of non-revocation remedial actions taken by the ATF.
Congressman Goldman is committed to holding gun dealers and manufacturers accountable for their role in perpetuating the gun violence epidemic.
In January, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘Federal Firearm Licensee Act,’ which would modernize and strengthen the federal requirements for anyone who facilitates gun sales, including gun shops, gun shows, and websites. The legislation would update sections in the U.S. Code directed at federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that have not been updated in 30 years.
In 2023, Goldman cosponsored the ‘Equal Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act,’ which would ensure that victims of gun violence have their day in court, that negligent gun manufacturers are held liable when they disregard public safety, and that gun trace data can be accepted as evidence in court.
Congressman Goldman has also cosponsored the ‘Default Proceed Sale Transparency Act’ to address the 'Charleston Loophole,’ which allows some gun sales to be completed without a completed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background without a completed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check.
Congressman Goldman is a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and is Chair of the Dads Caucus Gun Violence Prevention Working Group.
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