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HR 4255 116th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative remedies Business records Criminal justice information and records Firearms and explosives Retail and wholesale trades

Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act

Introduced: September 9, 2019 Introduced by: Quigley, Mike Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 28, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Sep 9, 2019
Introduced in House
Sep 9, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act

This bill modifies provisions related to firearms tracing.

First, the bill directs the Department of Justice to promulgate regulations that require each firearm manufactured in the United States to be marked with a serial number that is located inside the firearm's receiver or that is visible only in infrared light, in addition to the serial number mark otherwise required.

Next, it requires National Instant Criminal Background Check System records to be maintained for at least 180 days.

The bill also requires each licensed firearms dealer to conduct a physical check of their firearms business inventory.

Finally, it removes limitations on the use of firearms tracing data by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

What's happening now October 28, 2019

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

 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. 4255: Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4255/
MLA
"H.R. 4255: Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4255/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4255, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4255/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4255: Trafficking Reduction And Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4255/)
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