{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-magaziner-introduces-bill-crack-down-illegal-firearm-sales-during-national", "Rep. Magaziner Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Firearm Sales During National Gun Violence Awareness Month", "2023-06-27", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Seth Magaziner", "M001223", "magaziner.house.gov", "magaziner", "https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Warwick, RI \u2014 Today, Representative Seth Magaziner announced the introduction of his bill, H.R.3863: Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act, along with representatives of Rhode Island law enforcement, gun safety advocacy groups, and members of our community whose lives have been personally impacted by gun violence.\n\nThis legislation, introduced during National Gun Violence Awareness Month with companion legislation by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), will strengthen accountability measures for gun dealers who are selling guns \u201coff the books,\u201d falsifying records, and providing guns to straw purchasers, gun traffickers, and dangerous individuals.\n\nWhile the vast majority of gun dealers follow the law, a small number of bad-actor gun dealers \u2013 roughly 5 percent \u2013 supply guns used in 400,000 crimes annually according to a report by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act would crack down on these illegal practices by authorizing more frequent inspections of gun dealers, increasing penalties for serious offenses like failing to perform federally required background checks, and strengthening the Department of Justice\u2019s authority and discretion in enforcing gun laws.\n\n\u201cRogue gun dealers who sell guns without background checks, falsify records, or knowingly provide criminals with firearms threaten the safety of all Americans. We must equip law enforcement and federal agencies with the tools and resources they need to hold these bad actors accountable,\u201d said Rep. Seth Magaziner. \u201cThe billwill stiffen penalties and enact more stringent accountability measures to address the flow of illegal firearms into our communities. We must do more to end the gun violence epidemic and prevent guns from falling in the hands of criminals.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities across Rhode Island continue to be affected by gun violence, and this Office prioritizes our investigatory and prosecutorial resources toward identifying the perpetrators and drivers of violent crime and bringing them to justice,\u201d said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. \u201cThis critical work can only be done with strong partners willing to do their part to end gun violence \u2013 including those in federal government, law enforcement, and in the community. I applaud Congressman Magaziner for introducing this bill and standing up for the safety of Rhode Islanders.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe number of illegal firearms that flood into cities throughout our country is not only jarring but traumatizing to both families and communities,\u201d said Providence Police Commander Kevin M. Lanni. \u201cIn 2023 alone the Providence Police have removed 145 firearms from our streets, resulting in 107 firearm related charges. Through this legislation, the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act holds illegal firearm dealers accountable for their actions. I thank Representative Seth Magaziner for leading this effort in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a survivor, as a Mom who lost her daughter to gun violence, I know we must have a multi-faceted approach to truly achieve gun safety in our country,\u201d said Diana Garlington, the Board Secretary of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. \u201cThis Act would hold gun dealers accountable and give the Department of Justice the ability to implement policies that will keep our communities safe. I lost my daughter, Esscence, to gun violence. I never want any parent to feel the pain I have felt, the pain I feel today, the pain I feel every day. RI Coalition Against Gun Violence supports passage of the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act!\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, the gun industry and gun dealers have reaped the benefits of an underfunded and under-enforced ATF. However, under the Biden-Harris Administration we have witnessed how ATF is cracking down on willful violations by gun dealers,\u201d said Pam Schlomann, a volunteer with the Rhode Island Chapter of Moms Demand Action. \u201cWith this measure \u2013 the Department of Justice and ATF will be better equipped to identify rogue and irresponsible gun dealers who funnel firearms into dangerous hands and hold them accountable for doing so. We thank Representative Magaziner for his commitment to Rhode Island families and steadfast leadership in tackling the root causes of gun violence.\u201d\n\nAmong other provisions, the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act would:\n\nIncrease the allowable number of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) inspections of firearms dealers from one to three per year;\n\nIncrease the number of ATF inspectors;\n\nStrengthen criminal penalties for dealers who knowingly violate the law by committing serious record-keeping offenses that aid gun trafficking;\n\nPermit the Department of Justice (DOJ) some discretion in issuing firearm dealer licenses to applicants who pose a threat to public safety or is likely to break the law;\n\nProvide the DOJ with more flexibility to revoke the license of a gun importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector who is convicted of serious crimes\n\nA copy of the bill text can be found HERE.\n\nThis legislation is supported by Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Giffords, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, March for Our Lives, and members of law enforcement.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-magaziner-introduces-bill-crack-down-illegal-firearm-sales-during-national"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9344452992081642, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}