Bills · HR 1698
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1698Civil actions and liabilityFirearms and explosives
Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 27· LAST ACTION FEB 27
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
25
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it changes the balance between government transparency and the privacy of gun owners and dealers, as well as the sensitivity of law enforcement data. If it becomes law, it will significantly restrict public access to information about firearms used in crimes and the businesses that sell them. This could make it harder for the public and researchers to understand patterns of gun violence or to hold government agencies accountable for how they use this data.
For gun owners and dealers, the bill provides stronger privacy protections and a powerful new legal tool to seek damages if their information is leaked. For government agencies, it creates clear financial penalties and legal risks for unauthorized disclosures, which could lead to more stringent internal data security practices. The bill essentially fortifies the wall around firearm trace data, impacting discussions on gun control, public safety, and government accountability.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to exempt the Firearm Trace System database and certain gun dealer records from public disclosure.
This provision significantly reduces public access to sensitive firearm data, affecting transparency and research into gun violence.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes the Attorney General to impose fines on state, local, tribal, or foreign government entities for unauthorized disclosures of protected firearm information.
This creates new financial penalties for government agencies that improperly share sensitive firearm data, promoting accountability.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a private right of action, allowing licensed gun dealers to sue government agencies for unlawful disclosures of their protected information.
This grants gun dealers a powerful new legal tool, including substantial financial remedies, to enforce privacy protections for their data.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 25
R· Louisiana
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
39
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 25 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 27
Introduced in House
FEB 27
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1698
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 27, 2025
Last actionFeb 27, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025
House BillHR 1698Civil actions and liabilityFirearms and explosives
Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act of 2025
INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 27, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
25
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
