HR 8
116th Congress
House
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Retail and wholesale trades
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
Everywhere this bill has been
29 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 4, 2019
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.
Feb 28, 2019
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Feb 27, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 27, 2019
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 240 - 190 (Roll no. 99).
Feb 27, 2019
On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 209 (Roll no. 98).
Feb 27, 2019
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Feb 27, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Collins (GA) motion to recommit with instructions pending a reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to insert new text on regulations in the case of a background check conducted by the national instant criminal background check system, in response to a contact from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, that the system notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if the individual is in violation of subsection (g)(5). Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn.
Feb 27, 2019
Mr. Collins (GA) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2260)
Feb 27, 2019
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR H2254)
Feb 27, 2019
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 27, 2019
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 8.
Feb 27, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 145, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Van Drew amendment No. 4.
Feb 27, 2019
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Horn amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.
Feb 27, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 145, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Dean amendment No. 2.
Feb 27, 2019
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lesko amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lesko demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.
Feb 27, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 145, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lesko amendment No. 1.
Feb 27, 2019
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 8.
Feb 27, 2019
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 145 and Rule XVIII.
Feb 27, 2019
Provides for one hour of debate on each measure. Only those amendments printed in the report shall be in order and the previous question shall be considered ordered without intervening motions except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Feb 27, 2019
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 145. (consideration: CR H2242-2263)
Feb 27, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 145, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Horn (OK) amendment No. 3.
Feb 27, 2019
The Speaker designated the Honorable Earl Blumenauer to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Feb 25, 2019
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 145 Reported to House. Provides for one hour of debate on each measure. Only those amendments printed in the report shall be in order and the previous question shall be considered ordered without intervening motions except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Feb 22, 2019
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 3.
Feb 22, 2019
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-11.
Feb 13, 2019
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
Feb 13, 2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jan 8, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 8, 2019
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27, 2019 | House · vote #99 | On Passage | Passed | 240–190 | See who voted → |
| Feb 27, 2019 | House · vote #98 | On Motion to Recommit with Instructions | Passed | 220–209 | See who voted → |
Amendments to this bill
5
Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.
4 agreed to 1 failed
| Amendment | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HAMDT 48 | Nadler, Jerrold | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 47 | Van Drew, Jefferson | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 46 | — | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 45 | Dean, Madeleine | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 44 | — | Failed |
Ask about this bill
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Plain-English summary
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals).
Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.
The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
What's happening now
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.
Related & companion bills
4
Bill text
4 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Placed on Calendar Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Reported in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Committees of jurisdiction
1
Cosponsors
136
D
Slotkin, Elissa
D
Fletcher, Lizzie
D
Davids, Sharice
D
Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria
D
Thompson, Bennie G.
D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
D
Case, Ed
D
Castro, Joaquin
D
Cleaver, Emanuel
D
Clyburn, James E.
D
Costa, Jim
D
Doggett, Lloyd
D
Gomez, Jimmy
D
Green, Al
D
Jayapal, Pramila
D
Kaptur, Marcy
D
Meeks, Gregory W.
D
Ruiz, Raul
D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
D
Craig, Angie
D
Jeffries, Hakeem S.
D
Krishnamoorthi, Raja
D
Neal, Richard E.
D
Torres, Norma J.
D
Underwood, Lauren
D
Davis, Danny K.
D
Harder, Josh
D
Lee, Susie
D
Aguilar, Pete
D
Bera, Ami
D
Chu, Judy
D
Foster, Bill
D
Plaskett, Stacey E.
R
Van Drew, Jefferson
D
Carson, André
D
McGovern, James P.
D
Waters, Maxine
D
Beatty, Joyce
D
Casten, Sean
D
Castor, Kathy
D
Clarke, Yvette D.
D
Escobar, Veronica
D
Garamendi, John
D
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"
D
Kim, Andy
D
Schiff, Adam B.
D
Sewell, Terri A.
D
Sherman, Brad
VISCLOSKY, PETER
D
Adams, Alma S.
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Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8/
"H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8/.
H.R. 8, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8/.
[H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8/)