Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Crime Gun Tracing Modernization Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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 Crime Gun Tracing Modernization Act of 2025. It requires the National Tracing Center of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to set up electronic, searchable databases. These databases will contain records of things like the importation, production, shipment, receipt, and sale of firearms. The bill allows licensed firearm dealers to provide the National Tracing Center with electronic access to their records. It also lets dealers voluntarily give older paper records to the Bureau under certain conditions. Finally, the bill sets strict rules on what the databases can be searched for and requires regular audits by the Comptroller General.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +6
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill enhances law enforcement investigation capabilities by modernizing and digitizing crime gun tracing databases.
- Scored +5
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
It establishes electronic searchable databases for firearm records to aid in tracking crime guns while protecting individual personal identity search capabilities.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
It mandates federal electronic databases administered by the ATF overriding previous funding restrictions.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would gun owners be better off under this?
Gun owners may experience concerns regarding privacy and the establishment of a centralized electronic firearm tracing database.
- Scored -3
Does this protect the right to own guns?
Gun owners may view the creation of centralized electronic firearm record databases as an infringement on privacy and a step toward a federal registry.
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Licensed firearm dealers face new rules regarding electronic record access and the voluntary relinquishment of older paper records.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Better Law Enforcement Investigations: Section 2, adding section 923(g)(8)(F)(i), allows the National Tracing Center to search the electronic databases for information related to a bona fide law enforcement investigation by various agencies. This is positive because it helps officials track crime guns more effectively to keep the people safe.
-
Protection of Personal Privacy: Section 2, adding section 923(g)(8)(G)(ii), explicitly states that the databases shall not be electronically searchable by the personally identifiable information of any individual. This is a positive safeguard for the people to ensure that ordinary citizens are not personally tracked through these firearm records.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the text provided, there are no specific provisions identified that create 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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — It mandates federal electronic databases administered by the ATF overriding previous funding restrictions. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — It mandates regular audits and reports by the Comptroller General regarding compliance. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — It protects ordinary citizens by barring searches based on personally identifiable information.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill enhances law enforcement investigation capabilities by modernizing and digitizing crime gun tracing databases. Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — It establishes electronic searchable databases for firearm records to aid in tracking crime guns while protecting individual personal identity search capabilities. Does this protect the right to own guns? — Gun owners may view the creation of centralized electronic firearm record databases as an infringement on privacy and a step toward a federal registry.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — Gun owners may experience concerns regarding privacy and the establishment of a centralized electronic firearm tracing database. Would business owners be better off under this? — Licensed firearm dealers face new rules regarding electronic record access and the voluntary relinquishment of older paper records.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The legislation explicitly prohibits databases from being searchable by the personally identifiable information of individuals.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — It allows the National Tracing Center to query databases for foreign intelligence information.
- 12/1/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon