Two bills were filed in the House of Representatives on March 1, 2021. H.R. 8 was introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and is described as a ‘universal background check bill’. Although the bill contains some exceptions, it would become a criminal act for a non-licensed individual to sell, give, hand over, etc. a firearm to another person without having the transfer done by a Federal Firearms Licensee through the FBI/NICS background check system.
The other bill is H.R. 1446, and it would eliminate the current 3-day waiting period in the event a FFL’s NICS check produced a ‘delay’ response, and instead provides for an indefinite delay period.
Some reports are that these bills could bypass committee action and be voted on as early as next week. According to NPA Lobbyist, Cliff Andrews, it is possible for any measure that passed the House last year to be ‘hotlined’ to the House floor if it is done by April 1st and the bill language is the same.
Team GRC continues to monitor this and all federal legislation and keep you posted.
