H.R. 532: Handgun Permit to Purchase Act

This bill, titled the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act, aims to establish a program for handgun licensing requirements across states in the United States. It is intended to address issues surrounding gun violence by providing federal grants to states, local governments, and Native American tribes to develop, implement, and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing laws.

Key Provisions

• Purpose: The bill is designed to enhance public safety by reducing gun violence, specifically focusing on handguns, which are significantly involved in firearm homicides and suicides.
• Grant Program: The Attorney General is authorized to award grants to eligible applicants for the development of licensing programs. These funds can be used to implement and improve existing handgun purchasing laws.
• Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for grants, states or localities must have laws requiring a license to purchase handguns, which include specific requirements for applicants, such as being at least 21 years old and undergoing a background check.

Findings

The bill outlines various findings related to gun violence, emphasizing the following points:

• In 2023, there were 46,728 gun-related deaths in the U.S., marking a significant public health concern.
• A large percentage of firearm violence involves handguns, and the absence of handgun purchaser licensing laws is correlated with higher rates of firearm-related deaths.
• Research indicates that implementing handgun purchaser licensing laws leads to significant reductions in firearm homicides and related crimes.

Application for Grants

Entities seeking to obtain grants must submit an application that includes:

• A description of any enacted laws requiring handgun purchase licenses, along with exemptions.
• A plan for how they intend to use the grant funds to support or improve their licensing program.

Funding Authorization

The legislation also includes provisions for the authorization of appropriations to ensure that necessary funds can be allocated for this grant program.

General Requirements for Applicants

To qualify for a licensing grant, the following criteria must be met:

• Applicants must have a law requiring a license to purchase handguns.
• Applicants must ensure that individuals applying for handgun licenses undergo background investigations and fulfill other procedural requirements, such as fingerprinting.
• Individuals prohibited from possessing firearms under existing laws shall not be eligible to receive a handgun purchasing license.

Relevant Companies

None found