James Risch (R-ID)
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 17 Republican cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the 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 is called the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025. It makes sure that certain government operations related to firearms keep running even if there is a lapse in government funding or a shutdown. Specifically, it covers background checks and firearm enforcement through the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It also covers firearm-related export licensing activities handled by the Department of Commerce and the Department of State. Under this bill, the workers doing these specific jobs are considered essential and must keep working during a shutdown.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would gun owners be better off under this?
Ensures that background checks and federal firearm services remain operational during government shutdowns.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to own guns?
Ensures continued background checks and ATF operations during government shutdowns, maintaining uninterrupted firearm access and processing.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Allows firearm-related businesses to continue applying for export licenses without interruption during a shutdown.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Background checks and firearm enforcement will not stop when the government shuts down, because section 2(a) and section 2(b)(1)-(2) treat these operations as emergencies involving human life or property protection so that employees keep working.
-
People and businesses trying to export firearms will still be able to get their applications processed during a funding lapse, because section 2(a) and section 2(b)(3)-(4) keep the Department of Commerce and Department of State export licensing services running.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — Ensures that background checks and federal firearm services remain operational during government shutdowns. Would business owners be better off under this? — Allows firearm-related businesses to continue applying for export licenses without interruption during a shutdown.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to own guns? — Ensures continued background checks and ATF operations during government shutdowns, maintaining uninterrupted firearm access and processing.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Ensures uninterrupted processing of firearm-related export licenses and services for businesses during a government shutdown.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Classifies specific federal firearm operations and personnel as essential exceptions during a government shutdown.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Maintains Department of State and Department of Commerce export licensing operations for firearms during a funding lapse.
- 9/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/28/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 9 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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
- Darline Graham
Republican · South Carolina
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana