HR 4135 114th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Firearms and explosives Immigration status and procedures Travel and tourism Visas and passports

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

Introduced: November 30, 2015 Introduced by: Duckworth, Tammy Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jan 15, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Nov 30, 2015

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Nov 30, 2015

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States.

Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances.

This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession.

What's happening now January 15, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Committees of jurisdiction 2