Bill · S. 884· Senate(119-S-884)
ATF Transparency Act
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- - 9 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ATF Transparency Act seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 regarding firearm transfers and registrations. It requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to create an administrative relief process for individuals whose applications are denied. The bill establishes an appeal process and allows for the reimbursement of attorney fees for successful appeals. Additionally, it implements a three-business-day rule where applications are deemed approved if a determination is not made in time. The Act also requires several reports to Congress regarding NICS inquiries and the administration of those checks.
Yes
Would gun owners be better off under this?+7
The bill provides gun owners with an appeal process, attorney fee reimbursement, and expedited approval of firearm transfers.
Does this protect the right to own guns?+6
The bill strengthens firearm ownership rights by creating an administrative appeal process and an expedited approval mechanism.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill requires reports to Congress regarding the number and administration of unresolved NICS inquiries.
The opposite
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?-3
The bill limits the effectiveness of background checks by deeming applications approved if not processed within three business days.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Appeal Rights and Relief: Individuals whose firearm transfer or registration applications are denied can appeal the decision to the Secretary (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
-
Legal Cost Protection: If an individual successfully appeals a denial, the Secretary is required to reimburse them for reasonable and necessary attorney fees (Section 2(a)(2)).
-
Prevention of Future Errors: The bill allows individuals to provide information to the Secretary to prevent subsequent erroneous denials or extended delays through a program similar to the Voluntary Appeal File program (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
-
Expedited Approvals: Applications for the transfer, registration, or making of a firearm are deemed approved if the Secretary fails to make a determination within three business days of the filing date (Section 3(a)(1) and Section 3(b)).
-
Liability Protection: If a transfer is deemed approved because of the three-day rule, but the Secretary later determines the application should have been denied, the transferor is not held liable for certain violations, and the transferee is not held liable provided they return the firearm within 14 days of receiving notice (Section 3(a)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Requirement to Return Firearms: Under the "safe harbor" provision, if a Secretary determines an application should have been denied after a transfer was deemed approved, the transferee may face the burden of returning the firearm within 14 days of receiving notice to avoid criminal liability (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Gun Owners+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Second Amendment Protections+6Improves Gun Control Measures-3
- 11/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana