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HR 4001 103th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liability Commerce Damages Firearms Firearms control Law Legal fees Liability (Law) Retail trade Torts Wholesale trade

Gun Dealer Responsibility Act of 1994

Introduced: March 10, 1994 Introduced by: Reed, Jack Democratic · Rhode Island See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 16, 1994
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Mar 10, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 10, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E406)
Mar 10, 1994
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Gun Dealer Responsibility Act of 1994 - Authorizes any person suffering bodily injury or death as a result of the discharge of a firearm to bring an action in any U.S. district court against any dealer who transferred the firearm to a person in violation of Federal firearms provisions for damages and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. Directs the court to allow a prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney fee as part of the costs.

Provides that the defendant in such an action shall be held liable in tort, without regard to fault or proof of defect, for all direct and consequential damages that arise from bodily injury or death proximately resulting from the illegal sale of a firearm if it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant transferred the firearm to any person in violation of Federal firearms provisions. Makes exceptions where it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the plaintiff suffered the injury while committing a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; or (2) the injury was suffered as a result of the discharge by a law enforcement officer or a member of the armed forces in the performance of official duties.

Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to limit the scope of any other cause of action available to a person injured as a result of the discharge of a firearm.

What's happening now March 16, 1994

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4001: Gun Dealer Responsibility Act of 1994. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4001/
MLA
"H.R. 4001: Gun Dealer Responsibility Act of 1994." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4001/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4001, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4001/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4001: Gun Dealer Responsibility Act of 1994](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-4001/)
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