PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 391.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Mar 11, 2021
Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021
(Sec. 2) This bill revises background check requirements applicable to proposed firearm transfers from a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a licensed gun dealer) to an unlicensed person.
Specifically, it increases the amount of time, from 3 business days to a minimum of 10 business days, that a federal firearms licensee must wait to receive a completed background check prior to transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. (This type of transaction is often referred to as a default proceed transaction.)
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
If a submitted background check remains incomplete after 10 business days, then the prospective purchaser may submit a petition for a final firearms eligibility determination. If an additional 10 days elapse without a final determination, then the federal firearms licensee may transfer the firearm to the prospective purchaser.
(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the changes have prevented firearms transfers to prohibited persons.
(Sec. 4) The Federal Bureau of Investigation must report on the number of petitions it receives for final federal firearms determinations.
(Sec. 5) The Department of Justice, in consultation with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, must report on further amendments to the background check process that would likely reduce the risk of death or great bodily harm to victims of domestic violence, domestic abuse, dating partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
People & committees
Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] · D–SC
Legislative record
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Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 391.
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 210 (Roll no. 77). (text: 3/10/2021 CR H1303)
House roll call 77 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 210 (Roll no. 77).(text: 3/10/2021 CR H1303)
House roll call 77 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 212 (Roll no. 76).
House roll call 76 · Individual votesUNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to the motion to recommit H. R. 1446 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1332-1334)
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, the House resumed consideration of H.R. 1446.
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 1446 is postponed.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Hudson motion to recommit, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the motion to recommit and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Hudson demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
The previous question on the motion was ordered without objection.
Mr. Hudson moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H1314)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 188, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Nadler en bloc amendment No. 1.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1446.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 842, H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446. Rule provides for one hour of general debate for H.R. 842, H.R. 8, and H.R. 1446. The rule provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 842, H.R. 8, and H.R. 1446.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 188. (consideration: CR H1303-1314)
Rule H. Res. 188 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 188 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 842, H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446. Rule provides for one hour of general debate for H.R. 842, H.R. 8, and H.R. 1446. The rule provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 842, H.R. 8, and H.R. 1446.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: May 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1446 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.1446 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.
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