S 1844 — Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act

Summary

Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act This bill authorizes a grant program for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to implement and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing requirements.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html June 13, 2019

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a grant program for handgun licensing programs under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

• 34 U.S.C. 10101

  PART OO--HANDGUN LICENSING GRANT PROGRAM SEC. 3051. DEFINITION. In this part, the term `handgun' has the meaning given the term in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code. SEC. 3052. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Attorney General may award grants to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes for the development, implementation, and evaluation of handgun purchaser licensing requirements. (b) Program Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this part, and not later than 90 days after such amounts are appropriated, the Attorney General shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants whose applications are approved under subsection (c) to assist such applicants in implementing and improving handgun purchaser licensing programs. (c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, a State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe shall submit to the Attorney General an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may require, including-- (1) a description of the law that the applicant has enacted to require a license for any purchase of a handgun including a description of any other exemptions to such law; and (2) a description of how the applicant will use the grant to carry out or improve its handgun purchaser licensing program. (d) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant under this part, an applicant shall have in effect a handgun purchaser licensing law that includes, with respect to an individual applying for a handgun license or permit, the following requirements: (1) The individual shall be-- (A) not less than 21 years old; and (B) a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as those terms are defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))). (2) The individual shall apply for the handgun purchaser license or permit at a law enforcement agency in the State in which the individual resides. (3) The individual shall reapply for the handgun purchaser license or permit after a period not longer than 5 years. (4) The individual shall, in connection with the application for the handgun purchaser license or permit-- (A) submit to a background investigation and a criminal history check, as established by the State, which shall ensure, at a minimum, that the individual is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code; and (B) submit fingerprints and photographs. (5) An individual who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code, may not be issued a handgun purchasing license or permit. (e) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this part shall be used to improve the handgun purchaser licensing program of that grant recipient.

  This addition creates a new grant program to support states and local entities in establishing and improving handgun licensing laws.

• 34 U.S.C. 10261(a)

  (29) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out part OO.

  This change authorizes funding for the newly established handgun licensing grant program.

Action History

1. June 13, 2019

   Introduced in Senate

2. June 13, 2019

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Chris Van Hollen · Primary

Subjects