PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 27, 2001
Handgun Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2001 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit persons other than a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector (licensee) from possessing a handgun unless such person has been issued a handgun license under this Act or pursuant to a certified State handgun licensing and record of sale system.Provides criminal penalties for the unauthorized sale or transfer of a handgun. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish and maintain a Federal handgun record of sale system.Declares to be unlawful the: (1) unauthorized sale, delivery, or transfer of a handgun to any person other than a licensee, with an exception; (2) failure to maintain or permit inspection of records; (3) failure to report loss or theft of a firearm; and (4) failure to provide notice of a licensee change of address.Outlines provisions for the prevention of child access to firearms and their ammunition.Provides criminal penalties for violations of requirements under this Act.Requires the Secretary to establish and maintain a firearm injury information clearinghouse, to conduct continuing studies and investigations of firearms-related deaths and injuries, and to collect and maintain current production and sales figures for each licensed firearm manufacturer.Authorizes the Secretary to certify State handgun licensing and record of sale systems.
People & committees
Rep. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5] · D–MA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.1247 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1247 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1247 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1247 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.