Congressman Darrell Issa and Senator Joni Ernst have reintroduced legislation aimed at protecting gun store owners from what they describe as overreach by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under Biden-era policies. The proposed legislation, known as the Fighting Irrational Regulatory Enforcement to Avert Retailers’ Misfortune (FIREARM) Act, seeks to provide safeguards for Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders.
The FIREARM Act aims to allow FFL holders to correct minor clerical errors without facing severe penalties from the ATF. It also proposes increased due process protections and a retroactive reapplication process for those whose licenses were revoked unfairly. “The Biden Administration repeatedly undermined Second Amendment rights and weaponized federal agencies against law-abiding citizens,” stated Rep. Issa. He emphasized that the bill is designed to prevent future government overreach.
Senator Ernst expressed similar concerns, stating, “The Biden administration’s zero-tolerance policy empowered gun grabbers in Washington.” She noted that her constituents voiced their dissatisfaction with such bureaucratic measures in recent elections.
Travis R. White of the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition praised Rep. Issa’s efforts, highlighting the importance of fair adjudication processes for firearms licensees. Lawrence G. Keane from the National Shooting Sports Foundation also supported the initiative, emphasizing its role in repairing trust between firearm retailers and federal agencies.
Key provisions of the FIREARM Act include prohibiting zero-tolerance policies by the ATF, creating a safe harbor for self-reported violations with a 30-day correction period, and defining “willful” violations more explicitly. The bill also offers FFLs judicial review options and establishes a license restoration process affected by previous policies.
The legislation has garnered support from several representatives across various states and industry organizations like NSSF and FRAC.
