For decades, unlicensed sellers have been able to sell guns at gun shows and online without background checks because under federal law only licensed firearms dealers need to run background checks. These unlicensed sellers are a top source of guns for people who can't pass a background check and for gun traffickers.
In 2022, Congress passed and President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) into law to mitigate the serious and deadly risks that unlicensed gun sellers and no-background-check sales pose.
And now, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has issued a final rule to implement BSCA. This rule makes clear that unlicensed gun sellers who seek to sell guns—whether at a gun show or online—must become licensed dealers and, in turn, run background checks. This rule will save lives.
Gun extremists in Congress are attacking this rule, so we are urging our lawmakers to protect this rule to keep our communities safe from gun violence. Send your message >>
Dear Lawmaker,
As your constituent, I'm urging you to do everything you can to protect ATF's final "engaged in the business" rule by opposing S.J. Res. 83 or H.J. Res. 144, which attempt to weaken the rule.
When the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed in 2022, Congress updated the nation's gun laws. ATF's new "engaged in the business" rule implements the changes that Congress made in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to require more unlicensed gun sellers to become licensed firearms dealers and, in turn, conduct background checks.
Background checks save lives—keeping guns out of the hands of those who are not allowed to purchase or possess firearms, including domestic abusers and individuals with felony convictions. More background checks mean fewer illegal guns and less gun violence.
ATF's rule provides clear guidance that people who seek to sell guns for profit—whether that's a brick-and-mortar store, a gun show, or online—must become licensed dealers and run background checks. The rule won't just help strengthen public safety, but will also help law enforcement solve gun crimes. It will also make it more difficult for criminals to purchase illegal guns and for gun traffickers to acquire them.
Please protect ATF's life-saving rule and ensure that ATF has the resources to implement it by opposing S.J. Res. 83 or H.J. Res. 144, which attempt to weaken the rule.