(courtesy favim.com)

Purpose: To protect Second Amendment rights, ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and provide a responsible and consistent background check process.

S. 649

To ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system and require a background check for every firearm sale, and for other purposes . . .

Referred to the Committee on __________ and ordered to be printed

Ordered to lie on the table and to be printed

AMENDMENT INTENDED TO BE PROPOSED BY MR. MANCHIN (for himself, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. KIRK, and Mr. SCHUMER)

Viz:

Strike title I and insert the following:

TITLE I-PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS PROTECTION ACT

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the “Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013”.

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) Congress supports, respects, and defends the fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

(2) Congress supports and reaffirms the existing prohibition on a national firearms registry.

(3) Congress believes the Department of Justice should prosecute violations of background check requirements to the maximum extent of the law.

(4) There are deficits in the background check system in existence prior to the date of enactment of this Act and the Department of Justice should make it a top priority to work with States to swiftly input missing records, including mental health records.

(5) Congress and the citizens of the United States agree that in order to promote safe and responsible gun ownership, dangerous criminals and the seriously mentally ill should be prohibited from possessing firearms; therefore, it should be incumbent upon all citizens to ensure weapons are not being transferred to such people.

SEC. 103. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this title, or any amendment made by this title, shall be construed to-

(1) expand in any way the enforcement authority or jurisdiction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; or

(2) allow the establishment, directly or indirectly, of a Federal firearms registry.

SEC. 104. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this title or an amendment made by this title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid for any reason in any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, and the application of the provisions and amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not be affected.

Subtitle A-Ensuring That All Individuals Who Should Be Prohibited From Buying a Gun Are Listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System

SEC. 111. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

Section 106(b) of Public Law 103-159 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended-

(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “of this Act” and inserting “of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013”; and

(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

“(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.-There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this subsection $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017.”.

SEC. 112. IMPROVEMENT OF METRICS AND INCENTIVES.

Section 102(b) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended to read as follows:

“(b) Implementation Plan.-

“(1) IN GENERAL.-Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, the Attorney General, in coordination with the States, shall establish for each State or Indian tribal government desiring a grant under section 103 a 4-year implementation plan to ensure maximum coordination and automation of the reporting of records or making records available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

“(2) BENCHMARK REQUIREMENTS.-Each 4-year plan established under paragraph (1) shall include annual benchmarks, including both qualitative goals and quantitative measures, to assess implementation of the 4-year plan.

“(3) PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.-

“(A) IN GENERAL.-During the 4-year period covered by a 4-year plan established under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall withhold-

“(i) 10 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State does not meet the benchmark established under paragraph (2) for the first year in the 4-year period;

“(ii) 11 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State does not meet the benchmark established under paragraph (2) for the second year in the 4-year period;

“(iii) 13 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State does not meet the benchmark established under paragraph (2) for the third year in the 4-year period; and

“(iv) 15 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State does not meet the benchmark established under paragraph (2) for the fourth year in the 4-year period.

“(B) FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A PLAN.-A State that fails to establish a plan under paragraph (1) shall be treated as having not met any benchmark established under paragraph (2).”.

SEC. 113. GRANTS TO STATES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF COORDINATION AND AUTOMATION OF NICS RECORD REPORTING.

(a) In General.-The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended-

(1) by striking section 103 and inserting the following:

“SEC. 103. GRANTS TO STATES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF COORDINATION AND AUTOMATION OF NICS RECORD REPORTING.

“(a) Authorization.-From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Attorney General shall make grants to States, Indian Tribal governments, and State court systems, in a manner consistent with the National Criminal History Improvement Program and consistent with State plans for integration, automation, and accessibility of criminal history records, for use by the State, or units of local government of the State, Indian Tribal government, or State court system to improve the automation and transmittal of mental health records and criminal history dispositions, records relevant to determining whether a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, court orders, and mental health adjudications or commitments to Federal and State record repositories in accordance with section 102 and the National Criminal History Improvement Program.

“(b) Use of Grant Amounts.-Grants awarded to States, Indian Tribal governments, or State court systems under this section may only be used to-

“(1) carry out, as necessary, assessments of the capabilities of the courts of the State or Indian Tribal government for the automation and transmission of arrest and conviction records, court orders, and mental health adjudications or commitments to Federal and State record repositories;

“(2) implement policies, systems, and procedures for the automation and transmission of arrest and conviction records, court orders, and mental health adjudications or commitments to Federal and State record repositories;

“(3) create electronic systems that provide accurate and up-to-date information which is directly related to checks under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including court disposition and corrections records;

“(4) assist States or Indian Tribal governments in establishing or enhancing their own capacities to perform background checks using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and

“(5) develop and maintain the relief from disabilities program in accordance with section 105.

“(c) Eligibility.-

“(1) IN GENERAL.-To be eligible for a grant under this section, a State, Indian Tribal government, or State court system shall certify, to the satisfaction of the Attorney General, that the State, Indian Tribal government, or State court system-

“(A) is not prohibited by State law or court order from submitting mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and

“(B) subject to paragraph (2), has implemented a relief from disabilities program in accordance with section 105.

“(2) RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES PROGRAM.-For purposes of obtaining a grant under this section, a State, Indian Tribal government, or State court system shall not be required to meet the eligibility requirement described in paragraph (1)(B) until the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013.

“(d) Federal Share.-

“(1) STUDIES, ASSESSMENTS, NON-MATERIAL ACTIVITIES.-The Federal share of a study, assessment, creation of a task force, or other non-material activity, as determined by the Attorney General, carried out with a grant under this section shall be not more than 25 percent.

“(2) INFRASTRUCTURE OR SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT.-The Federal share of an activity involving infrastructure or system development, including labor-related costs, for the purpose of improving State or Indian Tribal government record reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System carried out with a grant under this section may amount to 100 percent of the cost of the activity.

“(e) Grants to Indian Tribes.-Up to 5 percent of the grant funding available under this section may be reserved for Indian tribal governments for use by Indian tribal judicial systems.

“(f) Authorization of Appropriations.-There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017.”;

(2) by striking title III; and

(3) in section 401(b), by inserting after “of this Act” the following: “and 18 months after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013”.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.-The table of sections in section 1(b) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by striking the item relating to section 103 and inserting the following:

“Sec.103.Grants to States for improvement of coordination and automation of NICS record reporting.”.

SEC. 114. RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES PROGRAM.

Section 105 of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Penalties for Non-compliance.-

“(1) 10 PERCENT REDUCTION.-During the 1-year period beginning 2 years after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, the Attorney General shall withhold 10 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State has not implemented a relief from disabilities program in accordance with this section.

“(2) 11 PERCENT REDUCTION.-During the 1-year period after the expiration of the period described in paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall withhold 11 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State has not implemented a relief from disabilities program in accordance with this section.

“(3) 13 PERCENT REDUCTION.-During the 1-year period after the expiration of the period described in paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall withhold 13 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State has not implemented a relief from disabilities program in accordance with this section.

“(4) 15 PERCENT REDUCTION.-After the expiration of the 1-year period described in paragraph (3), the Attorney General shall withhold 15 percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State has not implemented a relief from disabilities program in accordance with this section.”.

SEC. 115. ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR OUR VETERANS.

(a) In General.-Chapter 55 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“5511. Conditions for treatment of certain persons as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes

“(a) In General.-In any case arising out of the administration by the Secretary of laws and benefits under this title, a person who is determined by the Secretary to be mentally incompetent shall not be considered adjudicated pursuant to subsection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18 until-

“(1) in the case in which the person does not request a review as described in subsection (c)(1), the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the person receives notice submitted under subsection (b); or

“(2) in the case in which the person requests a review as described in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), upon an assessment by the board designated or established under paragraph (2) of such subsection or court of competent jurisdiction that a person cannot safely use, carry, possess, or store a firearm due to mental incompetency.

“(b) Notice.-Notice submitted under this subsection to a person described in subsection (a) is notice submitted by the Secretary that notifies the person of the following:

“(1) The determination made by the Secretary.

“(2) A description of the implications of being considered adjudicated as a mental defective under subsection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18.

“(3) The person’s right to request a review under subsection (c)(1).

“(c) Administrative Review.-(1) Not later than 30 days after the date on which a person described in subsection (a) receives notice submitted under subsection (b), such person may request a review by the board designed or established under paragraph (2) or a court of competent jurisdiction to assess whether a person cannot safely use, carry, possess, or store a firearm due to mental incompetency. In such assessment, the board may consider the person’s honorable discharge or decoration.

“(2) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, the Secretary shall designate or establish a board that shall, upon request of a person under paragraph (1), assess whether a person cannot safely use, carry, possess, or store a firearm due to mental incompetency.

“(d) Judicial Review.-Not later than 30 days after the date of an assessment of a person under subsection (c) by the board designated or established under paragraph (2) of such subsection, such person may file a petition for judicial review of such assessment with a Federal court of competent jurisdiction.

“(e) Protecting Rights of Veterans With Existing Records.-Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, the Secretary shall provide written notice of the opportunity for administrative review and appeal under subsection (c) to all persons who, on the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, are considered adjudicated pursuant to subsection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18 as a result of having been found by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be mentally incompetent.

“(f) Future Determinations.-

“(1) IN GENERAL.-Not later than 180 days after the enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, the Secretary shall review the policies and procedures by which individuals are determined to be mentally incompetent, and shall revise such policies and procedures as necessary to ensure that any individual who is competent to manage his own financial affairs, including his receipt of Federal benefits, but who voluntarily turns over the management thereof to a fiduciary is not considered adjudicated pursuant to subsection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18.

“(2) REPORT.-Not later than 30 days after the Secretary has made the review and changes required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the results of the review and any resulting policy and procedural changes.”.

(b) Clerical Amendment.-The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

“5511. Conditions for treatment of certain persons as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.”.

(c) Applicability.-Section 5511 of title 38, United States Code (as added by this section), shall apply only with respect to persons who are determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, to be mentally incompetent, except that those persons who are provided notice pursuant to section 5511(e) shall be entitled to use the administrative review under section 5511(c) and, as necessary, the subsequent judicial review under section 5511(d).

SEC. 116. CLARIFICATION THAT FEDERAL COURT INFORMATION IS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM.

Section 103(e)(1) of Public Law 103-159 (18 U.S.C. 922 note), is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(F) APPLICATION TO FEDERAL COURTS.-In this subsection-

“(i) the terms ‘department or agency of the United States’ and ‘Federal department or agency’ include a Federal court; and

“(ii) for purposes of any request, submission, or notification, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall perform the functions of the head of the department or agency.”.

SEC. 117. CLARIFICATION THAT SUBMISSION OF MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM IS NOT PROHIBITED BY THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

Information collected under section 102(c)(3) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) to assist the Attorney General in enforcing section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code, shall not be subject to the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 note).

SEC. 118. PUBLICATION OF NICS INDEX STATISTICS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Attorney General shall make the National Instant Criminal Background Check System index statistics available on a publically accessible Internet website.

SEC. 119. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Subtitle B-Providing a Responsible and Consistent Background Check Process

SEC. 121. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subtitle is to enhance the current background check process in the United States to ensure criminals and the mentally ill are not able to purchase firearms.

SEC. 122. FIREARMS TRANSFERS.

(a) In General.-Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended-

(1) by repealing subsection (s);

(2) by redesignating subsection (t) as subsection (s);

(3) in subsection (s), as redesignated-

(A) in paragraph (1)(B)-

(i) in clause (i), by striking “or”;

(ii) in clause (ii), by striking “and” at the end; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

“(iii) in the case of an instant background check conducted at a gun show or event during the 4-year period beginning on the effective date under section 130(a) of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, 48 hours have elapsed since the licensee contacted the system, and the system has not notified the licensee that the receipt of a firearm by such other person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of this section; or

“(iv) in the case of an instant background check conducted at a gun show or event after the 4-year period described in clause (iii), 24 hours have elapsed since the licensee contacted the system, and the system has not notified the licensee that the receipt of a firearm by such other person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of this section; and”;

(B) in paragraph (3)(C)(ii), by striking “(as defined in subsection (s)(8))”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(7) In this subsection-

“(A) the term ‘chief law enforcement officer’ means the chief of police, the sheriff, or an equivalent officer or the designee of any such individual; and

“(B) the term ‘gun show or event’ has the meaning given the term in subsection (t)(7).

“(8) The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall not charge a user fee for a background check conducted pursuant to this subsection.

“(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, upon receiving a request for an instant background check that originates from a gun show or event, the system shall complete the instant background check before completing any pending instant background check that did not originate from a gun show or event.”; and

(4) by inserting after subsection (s), as redesignated, the following:

“(t)(1) Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection and except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person other than a licensed dealer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed importer to complete the transfer of a firearm to any other person who is not licensed under this chapter, if such transfer occurs-

“(A) at a gun show or event, on the curtilage thereof; or

“(B) pursuant to an advertisement, posting, display or other listing on the Internet or in a publication by the transferor of his intent to transfer, or the transferee of his intent to acquire, the firearm.

“(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if-

“(A) the transfer is made after a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer has first taken possession of the firearm for the purpose of complying with subsection (s), and upon taking possession of the firearm, the licensee-

“(i) complies with all requirements of this chapter as if the licensee were transferring the firearm from the licensee’s business inventory to the unlicensed transferee, except that when processing a transfer under this chapter the licensee may accept in lieu of conducting a background check a valid permit issued within the previous 5 years by a State, or a political subdivision of a State, that allows the transferee to possess, acquire, or carry a firearm, if the law of the State, or political subdivision of a State, that issued the permit requires that such permit is issued only after an authorized government official has verified that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a firearm by the unlicensed transferee would be in violation of Federal, State, or local law;

“(B) the transfer is made between an unlicensed transferor and an unlicensed transferee residing in the same State, which takes place in such State, if-

“(i) the Attorney General certifies that State in which the transfer takes place has in effect requirements under law that are generally equivalent to the requirements of this section; and

“(ii) the transfer was conducted in compliance with the laws of the State;

“(C) the transfer is made between spouses, between parents or spouses of parents and their children or spouses of their children, between siblings or spouses of siblings, or between grandparents or spouses of grandparents and their grandchildren or spouses of their grandchildren, or between aunts or uncles or their spouses and their nieces or nephews or their spouses, or between first cousins, if the transferor does not know or have reasonable cause to believe that the transferee is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm under Federal, State, or local law; or

“(D) the Attorney General has approved the transfer under section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“(3) A licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer who processes a transfer of a firearm authorized under paragraph (2)(A) shall not be subject to a license revocation or license denial based solely upon a violation of those paragraphs, or a violation of the rules or regulations promulgated under this paragraph, unless the licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer-

“(A) knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information provided for purposes of identifying the transferor, transferee, or the firearm is false;

“(B) knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the transferee is prohibited from purchasing, receiving, or possessing a firearm by Federal or State law, or published ordinance; or

“(C) knowingly violates any other provision of this chapter, or the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

“(4)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, except for section 923(m), the Attorney General may implement this subsection with regulations.

“(B) Regulations promulgated under this paragraph may not include any provision requiring licensees to facilitate transfers in accordance with paragraph (2)(A).

“(C) Regulations promulgated under this paragraph may not include any provision requiring persons not licensed under this chapter to keep records of background checks or firearms transfers.

“(D) Regulations promulgated under this paragraph may not include any provision placing a cap on the fee licensees may charge to facilitate transfers in accordance with paragraph (2)(A).

“(5)(A) A person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, who makes a transfer of a firearm in accordance with this section, or who is the organizer of a gun show or event at which such transfer occurs, shall be immune from a qualified civil liability action relating to the transfer of the firearm as if the person were a seller of a qualified product.

“(B) A provider of an interactive computer service shall be immune from a qualified civil liability action relating to the transfer of a firearm as if the provider of an interactive computer service were a seller of a qualified product.

“(C) In this paragraph-

“(i) the term ‘interactive computer service’ shall have the meaning given the term in section 230(f) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)); and

“(ii) the terms ‘qualified civil liability action’, ‘qualified product’, and ‘seller’ shall have the meanings given the terms in section 4 of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (15 U.S.C. 7903).

“(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the immunity of a provider of an interactive computer service under section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230).

“(6) In any civil liability action in any State or Federal court arising from the criminal or unlawful use of a firearm following a transfer of such firearm for which no background check was required under this section, this section shall not be construed-

“(A) as creating a cause of action for any civil liability; or

“(B) as establishing any standard of care.

“(7) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘gun show or event’-

“(A) means any event at which 75 or more firearms are offered or exhibited for sale, exchange, or transfer, if 1 or more of the firearms has been shipped or transported in, or otherwise affects, interstate or foreign commerce; and

“(B) does not include an offer or exhibit of firearms for sale, exchange, or transfer by an individual from the personal collection of that individual, at the private residence of that individual, if the individual is not required to be licensed under section 923.”.

(b) Prohibiting the Seizure of Records or Documents.-Section 923(g)(1)(D) is amended by striking, “The inspection and examination authorized by this paragraph shall not be construed as authorizing the Attorney General to seize any records or other documents other than those records or documents constituting material evidence of a violation of law,” and inserting the following: “The Attorney General shall be prohibited from seizing any records or other documents in the course of an inspection or examination authorized by this paragraph other than those records or documents constituting material evidence of a violation of law.”.

(c) Prohibition of National Gun Registry.-Section 923 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(m) The Attorney General may not consolidate or centralize the records of the-

“(1) acquisition or disposition of firearms, or any portion thereof, maintained by-

“(A) a person with a valid, current license under this chapter;

“(B) an unlicensed transferor under section 922(t); or

“(2) possession or ownership of a firearm, maintained by any medical or health insurance entity.”.

(d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.-

(1) SECTION 922.-Section 922(y)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “, (g)(5)(B), and (s)(3)(B)(v)(II)” and inserting “and (g)(5)(B)”.

(2) CONSOLIDATED AND FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012.-Section 511 of title V of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by striking “subsection 922(t)” and inserting “subsection (s) or (t) of section 922” each place it appears.

SEC. 123. PENALTIES.

Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended-

(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:

“(8) Whoever makes or attempts to make a transfer of a firearm in violation of section 922(t) to a person not licensed under this chapter who is prohibited from receiving a firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 or State law, to a law enforcement officer, or to a person acting at the direction of, or with the approval of, a law enforcement officer authorized to investigate or prosecute violations of section 922(t), shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(q) Improper Use of Storage of Records.-Any person who knowingly violates section 923(m) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.”.

SEC. 124. FIREARMS DISPOSITIONS.

Section 922(b)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-

(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “located” and inserting “located or temporarily located”; and

(2) in subparagraph (A)-

(A) by striking “rifle or shotgun” and inserting “firearm”;

(B) by striking “located” and inserting “located or temporarily located”; and

(C) by striking “both such States” and inserting “the State in which the transfer is conducted and the State of residence of the transferee”.

SEC. 125. FIREARM DEALER ACCESS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION.

Section 103(b) of Public Law 103-159 (18 U.S.C. 922 note), is amended-

(1) by striking “Not later than” and inserting the following:

“(1) IN GENERAL.-Not later than”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(2) VOLUNTARY BACKGROUND CHECKS.-Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013, the Attorney General shall promulgate regulations allowing licensees to use the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established under this section for purposes of conducting voluntary preemployment background checks on prospective employees.”.

SEC. 126. DEALER LOCATION.

Section 923 of title 18, United States Code, is amended-

(1) in subsection (j)-

(A) in the first sentence, by striking “, and such location is in the State which is specified on the license”; and

(B) in the last sentence-

(i) by inserting “transfer,” after “sell,”; and

(ii) by striking “Act,” and all that follows and inserting “Act.”; and

(2) by adding after subsection (m), as added by section 122(c), the following:

“(n) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the sale, transfer, delivery, or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition not otherwise prohibited under this chapter-

“(1) by a person licensed under this chapter to another person so licensed, at any location in any State; or

“(2) by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to a person not licensed under this chapter, at a temporary location described in subsection (j) in any State.”.

SEC. 127. RESIDENCE OF UNITED STATES OFFICERS.

Section 921 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

“(b) For purposes of this chapter:

“(1) A member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or a spouse of such a member, is a resident of-

“(A) the State in which the member or spouse maintains legal residence;

“(B) the State in which the permanent duty station of the member is located; and

“(C) the State in which the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the permanent duty station of the member.

“(2) An officer or employee of the United States (other than a member of the Armed Forces) who is stationed outside the United States for a period of more than 1 year, and a spouse of such an officer or employee, is a resident of the State in which the person maintains legal residence.”.

SEC. 128. INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION.

(a) In General.-Section 926A of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“926A. Interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition

“(a) Definition.-In this section, the term ‘transport’-

“(1) includes staying in temporary lodging overnight, stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, medical treatment, and any other activity incidental to the transport; and

“(2) does not include transportation-

“(A) with the intent to commit a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year that involves a firearm; or

“(B) with knowledge, or reasonable cause to believe, that a crime described in subparagraph (A) is to be committed in the course of, or arising from, the transportation.

“(b) Authorization.-Notwithstanding any provision of any law (including a rule or regulation) of a State or any political subdivision thereof, a person who is not prohibited by this chapter from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm or ammunition shall be entitled to-

“(1) transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where the person may lawfully possess, carry, or transport the firearm to any other such place if, during the transportation-

“(A) the firearm is unloaded; and

“(B)(i) if the transportation is by motor vehicle-

“(I) the firearm is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; or

“(II) if the motor vehicle is without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm is-

“(aa) in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console; or

“(bb) secured by a secure gun storage or safety device; or

“(ii) if the transportation is by other means, the firearm is in a locked container or secured by a secure gun storage or safety device; and

“(2) transport ammunition for any lawful purpose from any place where the person may lawfully possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, to any other such place if, during the transportation-

“(A) the ammunition is not loaded into a firearm; and

“(B)(i) if the transportation is by motor vehicle-

“(I) the ammunition is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; or

“(II) if the motor vehicle is without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the ammunition is in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console; or

“(ii) if the transportation is by other means, the ammunition is in a locked container.

“(c) Limitation on Arrest Authority.-A person who is transporting a firearm or ammunition may not be-

“(1) arrested for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, relating to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition, unless there is probable cause that the transportation is not in accordance with subsection (b); or

“(2) detained for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, relating to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition, unless there is reasonable suspicion that the transportation is not in accordance with subsection (b).”.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.-The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 926A and inserting the following:

“926A. Interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition.”.

SEC. 129. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this subtitle, or an amendment made by this subtitle, shall be construed-

(1) to extend background check requirements to transfers other than those made at gun shows or on the curtilage thereof, or pursuant to an advertisement, posting, display, or other listing on the Internet or in a publication by the transferor of the intent of the transferor to transfer, or the transferee of the intent of the transferee to acquire, the firearm; or

(2) to extend background check requirements to temporary transfers for purposes including lawful hunting or sporting or to temporary possession of a firearm for purposes of examination or evaluation by a prospective transferee.

SEC. 130. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) In General.-Except as provided in subsection (b), this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(b) Firearm Dealer Access to Law Enforcement Information.-Section 125 and the amendments made by section 125 shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

Subtitle C-National Commission on Mass Violence

SEC. 141. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the “National Commission on Mass Violence Act of 2013”.

SEC. 142. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MASS VIOLENCE.

(a) Establishment of Commission.-There is established a commission to be known as the National Commission on Mass Violence (in this subtitle referred to as the “Commission”) to study the availability and nature of firearms, including the means of acquiring firearms, issues relating to mental health, and all positive and negative impacts of the availability and nature of firearms on incidents of mass violence or in preventing mass violence.

(b) Membership.-

(1) APPOINTMENTS.-The Commission shall be composed of 12 members, of whom-

(A) 6 members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Democratic leadership of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall serve as Chairman of the Commission; and

(B) 6 members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Republican leadership of the Senate, 1 of whom shall serve as Vice Chairman of the Commission.

(2) PERSONS ELIGIBLE.-

(A) IN GENERAL.-The members appointed to the Commission shall include-

(i) well-known and respected individuals among their peers in their respective fields of expertise; and

(ii) not less than 1 non-elected individual from each of the following categories, who has expertise in the category, by both experience and training:

(I) Firearms.

(II) Mental health.

(III) School safety.

(IV) Mass media.

(B) EXPERTS.-In identifying the individuals to serve on the Commission, the appointing authorities shall take special care to identify experts in the fields described in section 143(a)(2).

(C) PARTY AFFILIATION.-Not more than 6 members of the Commission shall be from the same political party.

(3) COMPLETION OF APPOINTMENTS; VACANCIES.-Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the appointing authorities under paragraph (1) shall each make their respective appointments. Any vacancy that occurs during the life of the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, and shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment not later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.

(4) OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION.-

(A) MEETINGS.-

(i) IN GENERAL.-The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman.

(ii) INITIAL MEETING.-The initial meeting of the Commission shall be conducted not later than 30 days after the later of-

(I) the date of the appointment of the last member of the Commission; or

(II) the date on which appropriated funds are available for the Commission.

(B) QUORUM; VACANCIES; VOTING; RULES.-A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum to conduct business, but the Commission may establish a lesser quorum for conducting hearings scheduled by the Commission. Each member of the Commission shall have 1 vote, and the vote of each member shall be accorded the same weight. The Commission may establish by majority vote any other rules for the conduct of the Commission’s business, if such rules are not inconsistent with this subtitle or other applicable law.

SEC. 143. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Study.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-It shall be the duty of the Commission to conduct a comprehensive factual study of incidents of mass violence, including incidents of mass violence not involving firearms, in the context of the many acts of senseless mass violence that occur in the United States each year, in order to determine the root causes of such mass violence.

(2) MATTERS TO BE STUDIED.-In determining the root causes of these recurring and tragic acts of mass violence, the Commission shall study any matter that the Commission determines relevant to meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), including at a minimum-

(A) the role of schools, including the level of involvement and awareness of teachers and school administrators in the lives of their students and the availability of mental health and other resources and strategies to help detect and counter tendencies of students towards mass violence;

(B) the effectiveness of and resources available for school security strategies to prevent incidents of mass violence;

(C) the role of families and the availability of mental health and other resources and strategies to help families detect and counter tendencies toward mass violence;

(D) the effectiveness and use of, and resources available to, the mental health system in understanding, detecting, and countering tendencies toward mass violence, as well as the effects of treatments and therapies;

(E) whether medical doctors and other mental health professionals have the ability, without negative legal or professional consequences, to notify law enforcement officials when a patient is a danger to himself or others;

(F) the nature and impact of the alienation of the perpetrators of such incidents of mass violence from their schools, families, peer groups, and places of work;

(G) the role that domestic violence plays in causing incidents of mass violence;

(H) the effect of depictions of mass violence in the media, and any impact of such depictions on incidents of mass violence;

(I) the availability and nature of firearms, including the means of acquiring such firearms, and all positive and negative impacts of such availability and nature on incidents of mass violence or in preventing mass violence;

(J) the role of current prosecution rates in contributing to the availability of weapons that are used in mass violence;

(K) the availability of information regarding the construction of weapons, including explosive devices, and any impact of such information on such incidents of mass violence;

(L) the views of law enforcement officials, religious leaders, mental health experts, and other relevant officials on the root causes and prevention of mass violence;

(M) incidents in which firearms were used to stop mass violence; and

(N) any other area that the Commission determines contributes to the causes of mass violence.

(3) TESTIMONY OF VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS.-In determining the root causes of these recurring and tragic incidents of mass violence, the Commission shall, in accordance with section 144(a), take the testimony of victims and survivors to learn and memorialize their views and experiences regarding such incidents of mass violence.

(b) Recommendations.-Based on the findings of the study required under subsection (a), the Commission shall make recommendations to the President and Congress to address the causes of these recurring and tragic incidents of mass violence and to reduce such incidents of mass violence.

(c) Reports.-

(1) INTERIM REPORT.-Not later than 3 months after the date on which the Commission first meets, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress an interim report describing any initial recommendations of the Commission.

(2) FINAL REPORT.-Not later than 6 months after the date on which the Commission first meets, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a comprehensive report of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with the recommendations of the Commission.

(3) SUMMARIES.-The report under paragraph (2) shall include a summary of-

(A) the reports submitted to the Commission by any entity under contract for research under section 144(e); and

(B) any other material relied on by the Commission in the preparation of the report.

SEC. 144. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Hearings.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, administer such oaths, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its duties under section 143.

(2) WITNESS EXPENSES.-Witnesses requested to appear before the Commission shall be paid the same fees as are paid to witnesses under section 1821 of title 28, United States Code.

(b) Information From Federal Agencies.-The Commission may secure directly from any Federal agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out its duties under section 143. Upon the request of the Commission, the head of such agency may furnish such information to the Commission.

(c) Information to Be Kept Confidential.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-The Commission shall be considered an agency of the Federal Government for purposes of section 1905 of title 18, United States Code, and any individual employed by any individual or entity under contract with the Commission under subsection (d) shall be considered an employee of the Commission for the purposes of section 1905 of title 18, United States Code.

(2) DISCLOSURE.-Information obtained by the Commission or the Attorney General under this subtitle and shared with the Commission, other than information available to the public, shall not be disclosed to any person in any manner, except-

(A) to Commission employees or employees of any individual or entity under contract to the Commission under subsection (d) for the purpose of receiving, reviewing, or processing such information;

(B) upon court order; or

(C) when publicly released by the Commission in an aggregate or summary form that does not directly or indirectly disclose-

(i) the identity of any person or business entity; or

(ii) any information which could not be released under section 1905 of title 18, United States Code.

(d) Contracting for Research.-The Commission may enter into contracts with any entity for research necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission under section 143.

SEC. 145. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

(a) Compensation of Members.-Each member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States.

(b) Travel Expenses.-The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of service for the Commission.

(c) Staff.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-The Chairman of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional employees as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. The employment and termination of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the Commission.

(2) COMPENSATION.-The executive director shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. The Chairman may fix the compensation of other employees without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for such employees may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

(3) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.-Any Federal Government employee, with the approval of the head of the appropriate Federal agency, may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status, benefits, or privilege.

(d) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.-The Chairman of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

SEC. 146. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission and any agency of the Federal Government assisting the Commission in carrying out its duties under this subtitle such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle. Any sums appropriated shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.

SEC. 147. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.

The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the Commission submits the final report under section 143(c)(2).

 

 

62 COMMENTS

  1. They lost me here:

    “Congress and the citizens of the United States agree…”

    I don’t agree!!; Molon Labe

      • UMMMMMMMMMM….

        “To protect Second Amendment rights, ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed …”

        DOES NOT COMPUTE! ERROR!

    • Toomey is a two faced rat bastard! Anyone teaming up with schumer is NOT our friend! I can’t wait to vote his ass out. I hope he enjoyed his first AND ONLY term for PA.

      • A primary challenge may be your best bet. Even fewer people vote in primaries than in general elections. This gives your vote more power. Have at it!

  2. Feinstein has already attached an Assault Weapons Ban as an amendment to this proposal.On that basis alone it shouldnt be allowed to pass.

    • She can propose whatever she wants as an amendment… no way there’s a majority voting to add the amendment.

      • No even most Republicans who voted to debate this said NO to a AWB already so that amendment should fail BIG time.

  3. Reading the title, then the text, I’m reminded of the poem by Dylan Thomas, “The Silver Plated Turd.” They will violate the right of confidentiality between healthcare providers and patients, and the federal HIPPA laws. Could be a fun circus to watch. Crazy people just wont get care to avoid this law!

  4. You know, all this talk about background checks makes me think one thing:

    The only thing background checks do is create and sustain a Black Market. Income for criminals. Funding for gangs. Just like the “War on Drugs” which is only providing a reason for cartels to exist.

    All of the infringing regulations should be REPEALED.

    • That’s exactly what they want. They want to create crime, thus creating a frightened public all too willing to sign away their rights to the “protection” of the state.

      • You are absolutely correct! The plan is to make us vulnerable, have crime spin out of control, then step in as the “saviors” we gladly relinquish the rest of our rights to.

        And when your schemes are so insanely dastardly, it’s so easy to blast as paranoid those who see what you’re doing.

        Sociopathic politicians are the scourge of the planet.

      • Yep. The more chaos they create the more the brainwashed masses will look to them to fix it, keeping them relevant.

  5. Yeah, I got all hung up on the unConstitutional interstate transport part. I guess in addition to the lack of clarity on the term infringe, we also have a problem with the term bear.

  6. Hell, if we can name legislation anything, even if its not relevant or true, lets just call this the Handy Under the Covers and Good Night Kiss Act of 2013.

  7. Maybe a small point, but all psych diagnosis are just somebodies opinion. Not like a broken bone you can see. They try to make psych diagnosis consistent through the DSM manual, but with each publication there are major changes.

    • Yes, you may not be able to undo the record, the patient can still sue the shrink for malpractice though(because I believe the doctor will bear a lot of responsibilty for the loss of weapons) untill o grabber fires off more exec orders that is, Randy

  8. So obviously any bill with Schumer involved is beyond redemption BUT – what would it be worth – for ‘compromise’ sake – to do away with all record keeping requirements (4473). Especially since the VP has already said only tin foil hat/ black helicopter crowd think the .gov wants a gun registry?
    (To clarify no ‘compromise’ from the status quo should be undertaken until we have a majority in Congress & WH – we always get screwed in the name of compromise)

    I think really I just want to see POTUS and VPOTUS do their dance trying to explain why they are vetoing a bill that makes sure there can be no gun registry when VP is on record as saying only tin foil hat types think they want one – and gave the public the impression that all gun purchase records are destroyed w/in 24hr.

    Either way, not happening with this steaming turd. NO.
    Also, WTF up with not releasing the text to the public until it is too late to receive public comment.

  9. Even the title is full of crap. How can an act protect an amendment, when amendments are a higher order of law? It can’t, it doesn’t, and it’s nothing but hot air.

  10. Legispeak designed to confuse and hide the bad stuff as much as possible. This is a bad bill and Sec. 142 creating a commission to study gun violence is maybe not the worst but pretty close. Eliminating the HIPPA reporting so the Justice Dept. can access medical records is close.
    This thing needs all of us to contact our Senators to excuse me “Kill It”. Thankfully mine are Rand Paul and McConnell (seeking re-election in KY..voting for any gun control would be a retirement decision). See earlier post on the site from Gun Owners of America on this bill.

    • Durbin & Kirk. I am so f****d. Don’t even get an auto-response form letter from that pair of clowns.

  11. I wonder if this section will have any effect on the habit of NYPD molesting travelers passing through their airport with legal firearms? Someone should ask the Napoleonic Nanny (Bloomberg) if this section will apply within his jurisdiction.
    ————————————————————————————

    “(c) Limitation on Arrest Authority.-A person who is transporting a firearm or ammunition may not be-

    “(1) arrested for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, relating to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition, unless there is probable cause that the transportation is not in accordance with subsection (b); or

    “(2) detained for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State, or any political subdivision thereof, relating to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition, unless there is reasonable suspicion that the transportation is not in accordance with subsection (b).”.

    • That section was interesting and probably the intent.

      Howsomever, HRH Bloomberg does not seem to feel NYC should be constrained by Federal Laws he doesn’t like. He knows better, you know, you silly serf.

    • That’s the only thing I like about this turd. If everything else was voted down & just the expansion of transport rights was kept I’d be happy. Since I know that’s not going to happen I’ll let me senators & congress critter know I do not want this turd.

  12. A “rights protection act” specifically designed to violate said rights.

    Just another day in modern, progressive, bizarro “America.”

  13. This is still being worked on by Senate staffers. Items of interest:

    Crossing a state line with a gun accessible becomes felony. If gun has ammunition in it (the word “loaded” remains legally ambiguous), it’s even worse. This might not impact you in large states, but East-coasters cross state lines all the time.
    The appeal for mental incompetence adjudication language for non-vets appears weak.
    There’s a staggering $100 million provided for each year, 2014 through 2017. Yes, that’d be $400 million dollars.

    Still in draft, and I still need to review further.

    http://guardamerican.com/index.php/blog/38-protect/531-toomey-bill

    • I didn’t see he word Felony here, just the part about limiting arrest during transportation. I don’t think this changes anything from the current transport law, just clarifies, and the way I read makes it less confusing, which makes it less likely to be misinterpreted by the local LE in states like NY.

      It does refer back to the actual transport law, which is not included.
      Can you tell me where you saw the word felony, so I can read it?

  14. TITLE I-PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS PROTECTION ACT

    I swear, if they ever come out with the “Being Nice to Fuzzy Puppies Act”, run for the hills.

  15. OK-
    I’m not a lawyer so, can somone explain this to me?
    What I get from this is;
    Private party sales must go thru a FFL dealer (because they are required to maintain records) and even though there won’t be a ‘national’ database, there will be 50 State databases that the ‘goverment’ will have access to-
    Did I miss anything else??

  16. -from another forum-

    On Alexander’s Facebook page they posted his determination to support the 2nd amendment. (Why?!?)

    Because other older posts were being littered with comments from people about him not supporting the filibuster. (They saw this was becoming something they needed to address! That means a meeting, drafting a response, then watching to see if it has the desired effect.)

    After posting that 20 hours ago they have gotten over 888 comments to that specific post. (That is almost 45 comments an hour!)

    So what does that tell them? “Oh CRAP!! Not just smoke… We got a FIRE PEOPLE!!” So what do they do? Post another comment to help “clarify” Alexander’s position! That was just 48 minutes ago and they already have an additional 52 comments!! (More than 1 a minute!)

    Corker is having the same thing happening with his page.

    Creeky’s 5 reasons this is an important tool…

    1. They HAVE to read the comments… Not part, not skim… ALL the comments. The reason is it has to be managed by someone. Usually a staffer or two. They have to read them to police them for inappropriate content; language, links to products, etc.

    (My client struggles with this and employs “online Editors” that do nothing but manage their facebook pages for their different products.)

    2. It’s public… Everyone can see the comments. Including the media outlets and possible people who are wanting to run against them in primaries or general elections. They know this!

    3. It can snowball… It’s very easy to “share” a politicians post and send it to a friend and say “Can you believe he is saying this?!?”. People reading comments they agree we can’t help but “chime in” most of the time. This adds more comments that have to be viewed and checked.

    4. The viral problem… a mis-spoken response from a staffer or a really good point made in a comment could go “Viral”. This is something all companies really, REALLY fear!! If it goes viral it goes nuclear! Triple the comments, plus the press could pick up on it, then people NOT on facebook start hearing about it.

    b. Staff morale… Staffers get worn down quickly having to answer phone calls and emails. It’s emotionally and mentally taxing. After a while (I assume) you “zone out. You start seeing patterns with calls and emails and you can adjust to it. to a degree. You start skim reading emails, or just lumping them all together. Phone calls you sort of go into “call center mode” and repeat the same thing over and over. Facebook comments are different. They are more taxing… you can’t allow mis-information, language, etc. to get in there. So it has to be managed in “real time”. These people can only do this for so long then the complaints start. the senators will see the effect it is having on their people… the people they depend on!

    This is NOT a substitute for calling and writing letters… not at all!! This however is another effective way to put public pressure on elected officials that should not be discounted.

    If you feel like leaving them a comment, below are links to their Facebook Pages. (If you have a facebook account.)

    Alexander’s Face Book Page – https://www.facebook.com/senatorlamaralexander?fref=ts

    Corker’s Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/bobcorker?fref=ts

    Bert comments “add the other sellouts -“

  17. The title itself makes me nervous. It’s like the “Protection of Cute Little Bunnies Act” signed by Elmer Fudd.
    I’ve got to study a finalized version of this with legal commentary but I’m suspicious.

    • REREAD that again very slowly a few times:::: that is good bye 2A: the government in the medical Field meaning the government will call the shots about your medical condition( sample) already Vets, pro-bill of rights, pro-life, pro-3rd party have already been labeled as not medical fit ( you JEWS) you Christians, you non-union are all medical miss fits…. NO WAY this is a BIG JUMP into the HELL of one World Government…..

  18. Wow, A lot to read.
    I can summarize a few things.
    Congress is authorizing $100m per year for 4 years for states to get a grant to implement the act. It appears the minimum cost will be $400m to implement.
    Each state has to create a automated system to collect the mental health data and merge it with a new updated NICS system. The NICS system will need to be updated to accept data from the states. So, each state will get the grant to make the updated system. Penalty for non compliance by states is 11-14 percent.
    Background checks are required for any “gun show” with more than 75 firearms.
    Any Internet advertised firearm requires a background check. Not sure what this would mean if you sold a gun by placing a notice on the range bulletin board.
    No background check for family transfers.
    There is a paragraph that explicitly forbids creating a gun registry.
    So, the question not answered is how will anyone be able to prove a background check was accomplished?
    Mental health data is currently protected by the HIPPA law, they have added a change to the law allowing this exception. Not sure how this is legal, but if not it will be challenged.
    If you are denied the ability to purchase due to a mental health issue, you have 30 days to file a request for due process via the court.

    I didn’t really see anything that is terrible, at least on the surface.
    How it is implemented will be the real test.
    The funding for the background checks is only for 4 years, but it is not clear that the expanded background law expires in 4 years. But, since the funding stops in 4 years, there won’t be any incentive for states to continue. This likely means the law will be revisited in 3 years.

    IMHO , spending $400m for such a small increase in background checks, and for creating a commission to study gun violence is not a good return on investment.
    A lot of money. But if this is the play by the Democrats, then it’s not much.

    I also believe it will take more than 4 years to get all 50 states to have a system fielded to report the mental health data. So, we will still spend the money, but won’t have a robust system.

  19. Hey I don’t mean to be a douche…but can we get a link to the actual document? Reading through I am seeing numbered sections missing. I would like to read the actual bill, not the copy/paste job

  20. Remember hunters, your rifle is safe….unless of course you are nuts as determined by hs, Randy

  21. I just got a robocall from Mr. Gabby Giffords thanking Joe Manchin for “defending the second amendment” How stupid do they think I am?

  22. Hey never mind, I found it!

    CCW Permits are valid for FFL purchases,

    And private sales without NICE between any 2 citizens of a state are legal so long as A) they dont occur in a gun show and B) They weren’t advertised on the internet.

    Sucks for Armslist….

    But I see some major plusses:

    1) You can travel through slave states with whatever guns and ammo you want as long as they are stored for travel. You can literally drive through NY and put a sign on your car saying you have an AR-15 and they can’t do shit. Just stick to hotels and restaurants and you’re good.

    2) Allows CCW Permits to sub as NICS checks

    3) Still allows private sales in most situations

    4) Explicitly prohibits a registry, including huge penalties for illegally retaining records

    5) Gives the idiots a “victory” and we only have to grumble about making private sales in the parking lot of the gun show instead of on the floor of one.

    We should still fight this one, and let it barely pass. They won’t stop till they get something.

    • Looks like there might be ways around that internet advertising thing, none that I will mention here at this time, Randy

    • don’t go out to the parking lot of the gun show, that counts as curtilage. you have to go out past the parking lot.

  23. “Purpose: To protect Second Amendment rights”
    And who says politicians don’t have a sense of humor

  24. This amendment specifically bans regulations “placing a cap on the fee licensees may charge to facilitate transfers in accordance with paragraph” [see amended 18 USC § 922(t)(4)(D)]. There is also no mandate that licensees process private transfers. When combined with the general prohibition on most person-to-person transfers, these provisions mean that the U.S. gun market will effectively become a dealer-run cartel.

    Remember that FFLs are to conduct transfers under this amendment in accordance with the existing provisions of federal law. This means that, to an FFL, a transfer under this amendment is indistinguishable from a dealer inventory sale. And because the dealer can charge any amount whatsoever to facilitate the transfer, they will have the power to buy guns from sellers at whatever price the dealer market will bear, because there are no other legal buyers. Individuals can still “transfer” a gun between themselves, but they will be powerless to affect the economic or legal terms of the transfer.

    California anticipated this problem when they banned private sales many years ago. In California, dealers are prohibited by law from charging more than $10.00 to conduct private transfers. California dealers are also required to process private transfers as a condition of their state firearms dealer’s permits. So at least terms and prices are still set by the private individual buyer and seller in California.

    This provision gives enormous power to federally licensed dealers. They become the one and only legal buyers of all firearms and gain cartel pricing power. Look for dealers to conduct private transfers in a manner that generates as much or more profit for the dealer as a sale directly from their inventory.

    No other outcome is economically — or legally — viable.

    • it would only become a cartel if every dealer conspired to not compete with each other which would be quite a feat. putting aside that that would probably be against federal law, price fixing etc. even one defector would negate the cartel’s aims and being the sole defector would have enormous incentive. it’s incredibly unlikely that such a scenario would play out.

  25. $100 million a year appropriation for 4 years to “protect” a right?! I think its safe to say we don’t need this. Hey congress: balance the budget and pay down the deficit, and stop wasting money.

  26. I’d rather have the AWB than the UBC… what good is being “allowed” semi-auto rifles if registration just takes them away from citizens in a year or two? These politicos are shrewd and intelligent, they knew what they were doing since day 1, this is coordinated and planned. Don’t kid yourself if you think they don’t know what they’re doing.

  27. basically it goes after non FFL gun show sales, and armslist/backpage convened sales.
    both leave loopholes.

    1. the attendees of the gunshow can walk across the street to the waffle house parking lot and conduct the transaction there.

    2. you just have to get a friend to post the ad on your behalf.

  28. I have to admit that, while transporting the firearm I used to own (before the unfortunate boating accident where the firearm was lost in a bottomless lake), the ammunition was not “locked”, it was simply in a box. I believe the box was cardboard, with the manufacturer’s name on it.
    If I’m reading this correctly, then I will need to place the manufacturer’s boxes into a container that can be locked when transporting ammo across state lines. Correct?

  29. I don’t see C&R license holders listed under the list of FFL holders. Would they need to go through yet another background check when purchasing a firearm that was listed on a website to be delivered to their home address?

  30. As a Texas FFL Manufacturer/Dealer I am somewhat shocked when others in their replys have already concluded that passage of this Non-Starter Bill would open the flood gates to let unscrupulous Dealers holding hostage the pricing on firearms. Total B.S. I ONLY do internet purchased firearm transfers and I can’t keep up with the demand. Why would I raise pricing – I’m thinking of lowering my fees….
    Robert – San Antonio, Texas

  31. “Congress and the citizens of the United States agree that in order to promote safe and responsible gun ownership, dangerous criminals and the seriously mentally ill should be prohibited from possessing firearms; therefore, it should be incumbent upon all citizens to ensure weapons are not being transferred to such people.”

    Dangerous Criminals = political Dissidents who disagree with current system and present/past policy.

  32. This would seem to suggest that firearms-related transport is not protected when a intentional crime is committed by the transport itself (deliberately entering NY with an 8-round magazine), but it doesn’t appear make a common-carrier-liability exception? So, what, I can never again ground-ship 11+ round magazines to New England (through MA/NY)? Manufacturer repairs…only of compliant weapons, traversing certain states?

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