Right now, if you sell a gun privately — say, to a neighbor or through an online listing — there's no federal requirement for a background check. Only licensed dealers have to run one. This bill would change that by requiring virtually all firearm transfers to go through a licensed dealer who runs a background check first. There are exceptions for gifts between close family members, temporary loans at shooting ranges or while hunting, transfers to prevent imminent harm, and law enforcement. The bill explicitly prohibits using this system to create a national firearms registry.
Congressional Summary
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals).Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers or exchanges, such as a gift between spouses.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-06-10
- Date Added
- 2026-04-15