Federal · 119th Congress

HR5874 Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act

Direction

Firearms purchase background checksAI label

Expands gun access model confidence 90%

Requires NICS background checks to continue operating as an excepted function during government shutdowns, so background checks for firearm purchases remain available without interruption.

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;

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

Firearms otherAI label

No change to gun access model confidence 80%

Deems ATF enforcement programs, Commerce Bureau firearms export licensing, and State Department defense trade controls for firearms as excepted functions that continue during government shutdowns, so federal firearms regulation and export licensing remain operational.

the operations, functions, and services of-- (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.

⚠ Quote could not be matched to the bill text: treat this label with caution

Introduced (completed)
Committee
Passed one chamber
Passed both
President
Law

Stage: Committee · step 2 of 6

Last action: 2025-10-31: 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.
Filed: 2025-10-31
Committee: Foreign Affairs Committee
Sponsor: Ben Cline R + 112 cosponsors (112 R)

Read official text (Introduced in House)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill ensures NICS background checks and certain ATF, Commerce, and State Department firearms-related operations continue uninterrupted during lapses in appropriations by deeming them excepted emergency functions. This maintains (rather than expands or restricts) the existing framework for background checks and enforcement/export licensing, with the primary practical effect being to prevent any temporary suspension of firearm purchase background checks that might otherwise occur in a shutdown.

Related bills

HR9548 Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2026Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Committee
S4921 Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2026Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Committee
S4339 Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2026Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Committee
HR8297 District of Columbia Firearm Freedom ActExpands gun access Expands gun access Committee

Text versions

Introduced in House 2025-10-31

History (4 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2025-10-31	Libra	Introduced in House
2025-10-31	Libra	Introduced in House
2025-10-31	House	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.
2025-10-31	House	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.