Brian Schatz (D-HI)
State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act
A Democratic bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 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
The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act aims to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It establishes a grant program where the Attorney General awards annual funds to eligible States or Indian tribal governments. These grants are intended for developing, implementing, improving, or evaluating firearms dealer licensing programs. To be eligible, a State or tribe must have laws requiring firearms dealers to be licensed, complete an application process, and submit to inspections. Licenses must be valid for no more than three years and may be subject to suspension, revocation, or penalties for noncompliance.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill provides grants to strengthen the implementation and oversight of firearms dealer licensing and inspection programs.
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires annual public reports on the number of inspections, violations, and license actions taken.
- Scored +5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill provides federal grant money to help States and tribal governments implement their own licensing laws.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would gun owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes more rigorous licensing, inspection, and potential penalty requirements for firearms dealers.
- Scored -3
Does this protect the right to own guns?
The bill creates stricter licensing requirements and inspection mandates for firearm dealers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Licensing Programs: Eligible applicants can receive annual grants to assist with the development, implementation, improvement, or evaluation of their firearms dealer licensing programs (Section 2(a), SEC. 3062(a)).
-
Increased Accountability for Dealers: The bill requires that licensed firearms dealers submit to inspections under the law of the State or Indian tribal government (SEC. 3061(1)(D)).
-
Enforcement of Standards: The law allows for the suspension or revocation of licenses, as well as the imposition of civil penalties or criminal charges, if a licensed dealer does not comply with the law (SEC. 3061(1)(E)).
-
Transparency of Information: The Attorney General is required to submit annual reports to Congress that include information such as the number of inspections conducted, the number of violations cited, and the number of licenses issued, renewed, suspended, or revoked (SEC. 3062(d)(1) and (2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Burden on Local Governments: While States can make subawards, the bill establishes requirements for those authorized to oversee and enforce the development, implementation, improvement, or evaluation of the licensing programs (SEC. 3062(c)).
-
Potential Penalties for Dealers: Individuals licensed as firearms dealers face the risk of license suspension, revocation, civil penalties, or criminal charges for noncompliance with the law (SEC. 3061(1)(E)).
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 annual public reports on the number of inspections, violations, and license actions taken. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill provides federal grant money to help States and tribal governments implement their own licensing laws.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill provides grants to strengthen the implementation and oversight of firearms dealer licensing and inspection programs. Does this protect the right to own guns? — The bill creates stricter licensing requirements and inspection mandates for firearm dealers.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly identifies Indian tribal governments as eligible applicants for the licensing enhancement grants. Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes more rigorous licensing, inspection, and potential penalty requirements for firearms dealers.
- 7/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island