Roger Williams (R-TX)
Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act
A Republican bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act'', aims to set specific deadlines for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to process applications. It establishes a 90-day deadline for general applications and a 60-day deadline for certain licenses under section 923 of title 18 of the United States Code. To ensure accountability, the Bureau must provide quarterly reports to Congress and the public regarding application metrics and reasons for delays or denials. Additionally, the bill requires the Bureau to establish an appeals process for applicants. The Bureau must also implement these changes using existing funds without hiring more people or getting more resources.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Bureau to submit quarterly reports regarding application metrics and reasons for denials to both Congress and the public.
- Scored +6
Would gun owners be better off under this?
The bill provides gun owners with faster processing times through statutory deadlines and an appeals process for denials.
- Scored +6
Does this protect the right to own guns?
The bill establishes specific deadlines for ATF permit processing and creates an appeals process for applicants.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Faster Processing Times: The bill sets specific deadlines, requiring the Bureau to complete general applications within 90 days and specific licenses within 60 days (Section 2).
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Increased Transparency: The Bureau must submit quarterly reports to Congress and the public that include the number of applications received, approved, denied, and pending, as well as the time taken to process them (Section 3).
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Accountability for Delays and Denials: The required reports must include summaries of reasons for delays and reasons for application denials (Section 3).
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Recourse for Applicants: The Bureau is required to establish an appeals process so applicants can contest denials or push for the completion of applications that have exceeded the legal processing time (Section 4(a)).
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Improved Efficiency: The Bureau is directed to eliminate repetitive reviews and unnecessary administrative steps to ensure timely processing (Section 4(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Resource Constraints: The Bureau is required to implement this Act using only existing funds for salaries and expenses, without the ability to hire additional personnel or acquire more resources (Section 4(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Bureau to submit quarterly reports regarding application metrics and reasons for denials to both Congress and the public.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill provides gun owners with faster processing times through statutory deadlines and an appeals process for denials.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill establishes specific deadlines for ATF permit processing and creates an appeals process for applicants.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill mandates that the Bureau implement new requirements using only existing funds without hiring additional personnel or acquiring new resources.
- 1/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/30/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas