New Federal Measure Introduced to Strengthen Gun Owner Protections
On March 14, 2025, a coalition of eight Republican Senators, led by Jim Risch of Idaho, unveiled the ATF Transparency Act. This legislation seeks to reform the National Firearms Act (NFA) application process, ensuring that law-abiding gun owners can navigate background checks and applications with greater fairness and speed.
Currently, individuals denied by the ATF's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) lack a formal appeals process. The ATF Transparency Act aims to rectify this by establishing a clear appeals mechanism for those wrongfully denied, whether due to mistaken identity or misinterpreted records.
Key provisions of the act include:
- Codifying an appeals process for background check denials.
- Mandating the ATF to process NFA applications within three days.
- Requiring the Government Accountability Office and DOJ to report on unresolved background checks and recommend solutions.
If the ATF fails to meet the three-day deadline, applications would be automatically approved. Senator Risch emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “Law-abiding gun owners wrongfully denied their Second Amendment rights should be able to appeal their case through an efficient, transparent process.”
Support for the ATF Transparency Act has been robust, with endorsements from prominent pro-gun organizations like the Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Aidan Johnston from GOA remarked, “There is no reason that an NFA approval time should take longer than a normal background check.”
Alongside Senators Risch and Marshall, co-sponsors include Mike Crapo, Steve Daines, Tim Sheehy, Cindy Hyde-Smith, James Lankford, and Cynthia Lummis, all advocating for a more accountable ATF and enhanced protections for gun owners.