Bills · S 123
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 123Licensing and registrationsFirearms and explosives
Handgun Permit to Purchase Act
INTRO JAN 16· LAST ACTION JAN 16
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it attempts to reduce gun violence, particularly handgun-related violence, by encouraging more states to adopt handgun purchaser licensing laws. The bill's "Findings" section highlights statistics on gun deaths and research suggesting that such laws can significantly reduce firearm homicides and suicides, and decrease the diversion of handguns for criminal use.
If this bill becomes law and is implemented, it could lead to more widespread adoption of handgun licensing requirements across the country, potentially making it harder for individuals prohibited from owning firearms to acquire handguns. If it doesn't pass, states that want to implement or strengthen such programs might face greater financial and logistical challenges without federal assistance, potentially resulting in fewer such programs or less effective ones. This could mean different levels of gun control based on where a person lives and whether their state chooses to participate.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a competitive grant program for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to create or improve handgun purchaser licensing programs.
Provides financial incentive for jurisdictions to implement or strengthen handgun licensing laws.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that to be eligible for grants, an applicant's handgun licensing law must require applicants to be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Sets a minimum age and residency standard for handgun purchasers in participating jurisdictions.
PROVISION 03
Requires eligible handgun licensing laws to mandate a background investigation, criminal history check, fingerprints, and photographs for all handgun license applicants.
Ensures comprehensive vetting of individuals seeking to purchase handguns in participating areas.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that eligible handgun licenses must be renewed after a period of no longer than 5 years.
Ensures that handgun purchasers are periodically re-vetted and remain eligible.
PROVISION 05
Prohibits the issuance of a handgun purchasing license or permit to anyone federally prohibited from possessing a firearm under Section 922(g) of title 18.
Reinforces federal prohibitions on firearm possession within state licensing schemes.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· Maryland
YRS IN OFFICE
23
BILLS LED
74
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 16
Introduced in Senate
JAN 16
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 123
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Last actionJan 16, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025
Senate BillS 123Licensing and registrationsFirearms and explosives
Handgun Permit to Purchase Act
INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 16, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
