WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has introduced a bill that would help states address the licensing of firearms dealers. It comes less than a week after President Joe Biden issued an executive order aimed at enhancing background checks for firearms purchases and strengthening enforcement of existing gun laws.

What You Need To Know

  • The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act would establish a new grant program to support states in developing or improving their firearm dealer licensing programs

  • A companion measure was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y.

  • Several states, including Hawaii, require firearms dealers who hold a federal firearms license to also obtain a state license to sell firearms. These programs supplement the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ regulatory functions, including inspecting federal firearms licensees for compliance with the law

  • Funds provided via the proposed legislation would allow states to direct additional resources toward increasing gun dealer inspections and investing in new technologies and systems that make inspection and licensing more efficient and effective

The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act would establish a new grant program to support states in developing or improving their firearm dealer licensing programs.

A companion means was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y.

“One of the best things we can do to support law enforcement and stop violent crimes is making sure we have protections in place that will keep dangerous guns out of the hands of people who aren’t legally allowed to have them,” Schatz said. “That includes strengthening state programs that are helping stop gun trafficking by some irresponsible gun dealers.”

Several states, including Hawaii, require firearms dealers who hold a federal firearms license to also obtain a state license to sell firearms. These programs supplement the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ regulatory functions, including inspecting federal firearms licensees for compliance with the law.

States with licensing and inspections programs have among the lowest rates of gun violence in the country, and states that oversee gun dealers have been found to have significantly lower rates of intrastate gun trafficking, according to multiple studies.

Funds provided via the proposed legislation would allow states to direct additional resources toward increasing gun dealer inspections and investing in new technologies and systems that make inspection and licensing more efficient and effective.

The bill is cosponsored by Schatz’s Hawaii colleague Sen. Mazie Hirono and Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Bob Casey, D-Penn.; Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; John Fetterman, D-Pa.; and Robert Menendez, D-N.J.

“Each year, hundreds of thousands of firearms are sold in the illegal marketplace, flooding communities and devastating families,” said Kris Brown, president of the gun-control advocacy group Brady. “To combat the increasing amount of illegal guns on our streets and reduce gun violence, states need resources to improve gun industry oversight, and ensure all firearms are sold legally and responsibly in order to hold members of the gun industry accountable when they engage in risky behavior that contributes to gun violence. Improving and strengthening state oversight is a proven way to decrease gun trafficking and Brady is grateful to Rep. Morelle and Sen. Schatz for their steadfast leadership on this issue.”

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.