What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown. The bill applies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services; the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and the activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses. Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shut
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.5874 pass?
HR.5874 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.5874 do?
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown. The bill applies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services; the activities of the Department of Commerce's B…
Who sponsored HR.5874?
HR.5874 was sponsored by Ben Cline (R-Virginia).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 5874 IH: Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-10-31 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5874 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 31, 2025 Mr. Cline (for himself, Mr. Carter of Georgia , Mr. Hunt , Mr. Moore of Alabama , Ms. Hageman , Mr. Harris of North Carolina , Mr. Collins , Mr. McCormick , Mr. Cloud , Mr. Weber of Texas , Mr. Burlison , Ms. Boebert , Mr. DesJarlais , Mr. Webster of Florida , Mr. Gooden , Ms. Mace , Mr. Fitzgerald , Mr. Feenstra , Mr. Jackson of Texas , Mr. Higgins of Louisiana , Mr. Downing , Mr. Fine , and Mr. Moore of West Virginia ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary , and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To ensure that certain operations, functions, and services of the Federal Government relating to enforcement of firearms laws and firearm export licensing continue during a lapse in appropriations. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act . 2. Continuation of certain firearm-related operations during Government shutdowns (a) In general The operations, functions, and services described in subsection (b) shall be deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property for purposes of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, and the employees carrying out those operations, functions, and services shall be deemed to be excepted employees, as defined in section 1341(c) of that title. (b) Operations, functions, and services The operations, functions, and services described in this subsection are the operations, functions, and services of— (1) the National Instant Criminal Background Check System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; (2) the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; (3) the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and (4) the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses.
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