HR 45 would require licensing of gun ownership

Washington, D.C. - 3/1/09 - A bill is making its way through the House of Representatives which is causing alarm to gun owners across the country. HR 45 - "Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009" (HR 45) was introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat.

It is named for Blair Holt. Holt, the 16-year-old son of a Chicago police officer, was killed in 2007 while shielding a female classmate during a gang-related shooting on a Chicago city bus.

The bill's short definition states that it provides "for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes."

The bill was introduced in last year's Congress, but didn't make it out of committee. It is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.

It includes:

Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked.

Prescribes license application, issuance, and renewal requirements.

Prohibits transferring or receiving a qualifying firearm unless the recipient presents a valid firearms license, the license is verified, and the dealer records a tracking authorization number. Prescribes firearms transfer reporting and record keeping requirements.

Directs the Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system.

Prohibits:

(1) transferring a firearm to any person other than a licensee, unless the transfer is processed through a licensed dealer in accordance with national instant criminal background check system requirements, with exceptions;

(2) a licensed manufacturer or dealer from failing to comply with reporting and record keeping requirements of this Act;

(3) failing to report the loss or theft of the firearm to the Attorney General within 72 hours;

(4) failing to report to the Attorney General an address change within 60 days; or

(5) keeping a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition for the firearm, knowingly or recklessly disregarding the risk that a child is capable of gaining access, if a child uses the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury.

Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of firearms provisions covered by this Act.
Directs the Attorney General to:

(1) establish and maintain a firearm injury information clearinghouse;

(2) conduct continuing studies and investigations of firearm-related deaths and injuries; and

(3) collect and maintain current production and sales figures of each licensed manufacturer.
Authorizes the Attorney General to certify state firearm licensing or record of sale systems.

The 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:

Right to Bear Arms: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Latest Major Action: 2/9/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

The bill can be read in its entirety here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.45: