Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 9548

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-08T16:18:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2026 (H.R. 9548)

Purpose This legislation establishes a federal system for licensing possessors of certain firearms and recording their sales or transfers. Its stated purposes are to:

• Reduce risks of injury or death from unrecorded transfers of qualifying firearms to prohibited persons or youths.
• Ensure owners understand safe use, handling, and storage.
• Restrict access by criminals, minors, and other prohibited individuals.
• Enable law enforcement to trace firearms used in crimes.
• Hold accountable those facilitating risky transfers.

The bill includes congressional findings on interstate commerce, gun violence statistics, and mass shootings, asserting a national interest in uniform firearm regulation.

Key Provisions

• Licensing (Title I): Individuals must obtain a federal "firearm owner license" (or a certified state equivalent) to possess a qualifying firearm after 1–2 years from enactment, depending on acquisition date. Exemptions cover law enforcement, military, supervised minors, hunters, and range users. Applications require photo ID, fingerprints, background checks, mental health certifications, and attestations against prohibitions. Licenses are valid for 5 years, renewable, and include security features. Denials or revocations require surrender of the license and disposition of firearms within 48 hours.
• Record of Sale (Title II): Transfers of qualifying firearms must occur through a licensed dealer, who verifies the transferee’s license, records a tracking number, and submits a report to a new federal (or certified state) record system within 14 days. The bill removes the prior statutory bar on federal registration systems.
• Additional Prohibitions (Title III): Private transfers of any firearm require dealer involvement (with exceptions for family gifts, loans, emergencies, hunting, and ranges). Owners must report loss or theft within 72 hours and address changes within 60 days. Child access prevention rules impose liability if a child gains access to an unsecured loaded firearm or ammunition and causes death or serious injury.
• Enforcement (Title IV): The Attorney General issues regulations, conducts inspections, and may issue orders or seek injunctions. Criminal penalties include up to 10 years imprisonment for licensing, transfer, or record violations, and up to 5 years for child access violations.
• Other Titles: Establishes a firearm injury clearinghouse and research duties; allows states to maintain stricter rules; certifies qualifying state systems; subordinates the Act to the Arms Export Control Act; and exempts government entities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new federal licensing requirement and record-of-sale system for handguns and certain semiautomatic rifles, overriding prior restrictions on registration.
• Mandates dealer-mediated transfers for most private sales, expanding background check and record-keeping obligations.
• Introduces new criminal offenses for failure to license, report losses, or secure firearms from children.
• Amends 18 U.S.C. §§ 922, 923, 924, 925, and 926, and adds §§ 935 and 936.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives would administer licensing, maintain the federal record system, process applications, and enforce compliance through inspections and penalties.
• Citizens: Firearm owners of qualifying weapons must apply for licenses, undergo checks, report changes, and route transfers through dealers; non-compliance risks license revocation and firearm surrender.
• States: May operate certified systems or face federal preemption only where inconsistent; stricter state laws remain intact.
• No direct effects on international relations are addressed.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Current and prospective owners of handguns and qualifying semiautomatic rifles.
• Licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers.
• Federal and state law enforcement agencies.
• State governments seeking certification of their systems.
• The Attorney General and Department of Justice.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The Act asserts authority under the Commerce Clause based on findings about interstate firearm movement and commingled trafficking.
• It includes explicit findings that the regulation is necessary for uniform national standards and crime tracing.
• Judicial review is provided for license denials or revocations, with a hearing required within 72 hours and a clear-and-convincing-evidence standard on the government.
• The bill subordinates its provisions to the Arms Export Control Act in cases of conflict and preserves state authority to enact broader restrictions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
• 2026-06-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Blair Holt Firearm Owner Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (55 pages)