HR 45

Both OpenCongress and Govtrack.us include information on HR 45 (Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009), which, in case you didn't feel like reading the entire bill, means that . . .

Applicants for a firearm license (no more than $25) need:
(1) a current, passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant;
(2) name, address, and date and place of birth of the applicant;
(3) any other name that the applicant has ever used or by which the applicant has ever been known;
(4) a clear thumb print;
(5) a statement that the individual is not a person prohibited from obtaining a firearm;
(6) certification by the applicant that the applicant will keep any firearm owned by the applicant safely stored and out of the possession of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;
(7) a certificate attesting to the completion at the time of application of a written firearms examination;
(8) authorization by the applicant to release to the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant;
(9) date; and
(10) signature.

Sale/Transfer of firearms will require that a record is issued to the Attorney General "or, in the case of a licensed dealer located in a State that has a State firearm licensing and record of sale system certified under section 602 of this Act, to the head of the State agency that administers that system." The record will include:
(1) the manufacturer of the firearm;
(2) the model name or number of the firearm;
(3) the serial number of the firearm;
(4) the date on which the firearm was received by the transferee;
(5) the number of a valid firearm license issued to the transferee under title I of this Act; and
(6) the name and address of the individual who transferred the firearm to the transferee.

There is a universal background check requirement, which makes it "unlawful for any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer a firearm to any person other than such a licensee, unless the transfer is processed through a licensed dealer in accordance with subsection." HOWEVER, the aforementioned "shall not apply to the infrequent transfer of a firearm by gift, bequest, intestate succession or other means by an individual to a parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild of the individual, or to any loan of a firearm for any lawful purpose for not more than 30 days between persons who are personally known to each other."

If a child under the age of 18 gains access to firearms, the owner will be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both. Failure to meet the licensing requirements, sale or transfer requirements for qualifying firearms, or failure to maintain or permit inspection of records will result in fines and/or imprisonment up to two years.

I don't even remember how old I was when I first shot a gun. But I'm pretty sure it was a .22 and I hit the target (of course, it was probably only about 25 yards away, if that). And I remember taking Hunter/Trapper Safety Ed. with my neighbor (I only missed one question). I got my hunting license as soon as I could (I still have yet to hit anything other than trees), and hunting with Dad and Papa has given me lots of amazing memories. I would hate for my children to be denied those memories because of this bill.

By the way! This pertains to handguns and firearms with clips, but excludes antiques.