Johnson Joins Colleagues to Introduce Bill Allowing Firearm Sales Across State Lines

Statement

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) joined Representatives Steve Scalise (R-La.), Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) to introduce The Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, a bill to remove statutory burdens on law-abiding gun owners and improve the legal firearm purchase process for law-abiding U.S. citizens and active-duty military.

JOHNSON RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Our constitutional rights should never be dependent upon our location, and the Second Amendment should be no exception. Licensed firearms dealers should not have their businesses hindered by the federal government if they are adhering to the laws in each state in which they are operating. I am proud to join my good friend and colleague, Congressman Steve Scalise, and several others in sponsoring legislation that will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens, while ensuring safe and responsible gun laws are maintained."

SCALISE RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Our firearm purchasing process is muddled by outdated laws passed well before Congress put the national background check system in place. Licensed federal firearms dealers follow the same laws across state lines, yet aren't allowed to sell certain firearms to law-abiding citizens across state lines; these regulations unnecessarily complicate the lives of citizens, small businesses, and members of the military alike. The modernization and simplification of our federal firearm purchasing laws is long-overdue reform, and I thank my colleagues for joining me in this effort."

ABRAHAM RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Our Second Amendment rights don't stop at the state line, and I'm proud to work alongside Steve Scalise on this bill that will ensure that Americans can enjoy those rights in their entirety throughout the United States."

BARR RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"As a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this common-sense legislation introduced by my colleague and friend, Congressman Steve Scalise. This bill would allow law-abiding citizens access to firearms from out of state vendors while ensuring compliance with the gun laws in the individual state of purchase, and additionally, would lessen the burden of purchasing a firearm on our Armed Service members, whose legal residency and assigned duty station are in separate locations. I applaud Congressman Scalise for his continued dedication to solidifying our Second Amendment rights."

HIGGINS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Current law regarding interstate firearm sales can be quite restrictive. This bill streamlines the process for licensed dealers to sell and transfer firearms to out-of-state buyers, easing the exchange for law-abiding Americans and supporting Second Amendment rights. I'm thankful for my colleague's leadership in introducing this legislation and his strong support for efforts to protect the Second Amendment."

MOONEY RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"I am proud to join my friend Republican Whip Steve Scalise in sponsorship of the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, which eliminates outdated and burdensome restrictions on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and members of the armed services. Defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is one of my top priorities. Specifically, under this legislation, licensed dealers will be able to transfer firearms to out-of-state buyers and sell firearms at out-of-state gun shows as long as the buyer and seller both comply with state laws. This legislation also importantly assists members of our armed forces who wish to purchase firearms."

BACKGROUND ON THE FIREARMS INTERSTATE COMMERCE REFORM ACT

Permits licensed dealers to transfer firearms (rifles, shotguns and handguns) to out-of-state buyers so long as the transaction complies with the laws of the state of both the transferor and the transferee.
Allows licensed dealers to sell firearms at out-of-state gun shows provided that the laws of the state of both the transferor and the transferee are complied with.
Provides for face-to-face transfer of firearms between licensed dealers. Currently dealers must ship a firearm, significantly increasing the risk of theft in the process.
Allows members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses to purchase firearms as residents of their state of legal residence, the state in which their permanent duty station is located, and the state in which they maintain a residence while serving at their permanent duty station. Currently, members of the U.S. Armed Forces may only purchase firearms as residents of the state in which their permanent duty station is located.