Federal

Pause for Gun Safety Act

Source: Congress.gov · 539 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill requires a seven-day waiting period before someone can receive a firearm from another person. The seven days must pass from when the person first asks to take possession of the firearm before they can actually receive it. The bill adds this requirement to federal firearms law.

Who It Affects

Any person involved in transferring a firearm to someone else who is not licensed as a firearms dealer. This includes private gun owners and others who give firearms to other people.

Key Provisions

• It is illegal for any person to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person unless at least seven calendar days have passed since that person first asked to take possession of the gun (Sec. 2(a)). • Temporary transfers do not require the seven-day waiting period if the firearm stays at a shooting range, shooting gallery or target shooting area (Sec. 2(a)). • Temporary transfers do not require the seven-day waiting period for hunting, trapping, pest control on a farm or ranch, or fishing if the person giving the gun believes the receiver will follow all required licenses and permits (Sec. 2(a)). • Temporary transfers do not require the seven-day waiting period when the person receiving the gun stays in the presence of the person giving it (Sec. 2(a)). • Anyone who knowingly breaks this rule can be fined up to $250,000, imprisoned for up to five years, or both (Sec. 2(b)).

What Changes

Federal law will make it illegal to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person without waiting at least seven calendar days from when they first ask to take possession of it. Some temporary transfers at shooting ranges, for hunting or pest control, and transfers where the receiver stays with the giver are excepted from this rule.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text.

Effective Date

This bill applies 90 days after it becomes law (Sec. 3).

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2392 To require a seven-day waiting period before the receipt of a firearm. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 29, 2023 Ms. SLOTKIN (for herself, Ms. KUSTER, and Mr. TRONE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To require a seven-day waiting period before the receipt of a firearm. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pause for Gun Safety 4 Act’’. 5 SEC. 2. 7-DAY WAITING PERIOD REQUIRED BEFORE THE 6 RECEIPT OF A FIREARM. 7 (a) PROHIBITION.—Section 922 of title 18, United 8 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol- 9 lowing: 10 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:31 Apr 08, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2392.IH H2392 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 2392 IH ‘‘(aa)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, in or 1 affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to transfer a fire- 2 arm to a person not licensed under this chapter unless 3 at least 7 calendar days have elapsed since the transferee 4 most recently offered to take possession of the firearm. 5 ‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a temporary 6 transfer if the transferor has no reason to believe that the 7 transferee will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime 8 or is prohibited from possessing firearms under State or 9 Federal law, and the transfer takes place and the trans- 10 feree’s possession of the firearm is exclusively— 11 ‘‘(A) at a shooting range or in a shooting gal- 12 lery or other area designated for the purpose of tar- 13 get shooting; 14 ‘‘(B) while reasonably necessary for the pur- 15 poses of hunting, trapping, pest control on a farm 16 or ranch, or fishing, if the transferor— 17 ‘‘(i) has no reason to believe that the 18 transferee intends to use the firearm in a place 19 where it is illegal; and 20 ‘‘(ii) has reason to believe that the trans- 21 feree will comply with all licensing and permit 22 requirements for such hunting, trapping, pest 23 control on a farm or ranch, or fishing; or 24 ‘‘(C) while in the presence of the transferor.’’. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:31 Apr 08, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2392.IH H2392 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HR 2392 IH (b) PENALTIES.—Section 924(a) of such title is 1 amended by adding at the end the following: 2 ‘‘(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(aa) 3 shall be fined not more than $250,000, imprisoned not 4 more than 5 years, or both.’’. 5 SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. 6 The amendments made by this Act shall apply to con- 7 duct engaged in after the 90-day period that begins with 8 the date of the enactment of this Act. 9 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:31 Apr 08, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H2392.IH H2392 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.