PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.1998 / 105th Congress

Yates Firearm Registration and Crime Prevention Act of 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 19, 1997

Yates Firearm Registration and Crime Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person who: (1) owns a firearm in the United States to fail to register such firearm with the Secretary of the Treasury within one year after this Act; (2) manufactures a firearm in, or imports a firearm into, the United States to fail to register such firearm within seven days of such manufacture or importation; or (3) transfers, or to whom is transferred, a firearm in the United States to fail to register such firearm within seven days of such transfer. Makes it unlawful for any person who loses a firearm or discovers a firearm to have been stolen to fail to report such loss or theft to the Secretary within 48 hours. Makes it unlawful for a person to: (1) possess a firearm or ammunition in or affecting commerce unless the Secretary has issued to such person a valid firearms permit; or (2) transfer or receive such a firearm or ammunition unless the transferee or recipient has and displays to the transferor a valid permit. Provides permit application requirements. Authorizes an owner to dispose of a firearm at a place designated by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to pay the fair market value of such firearm. Provides penalties for noncompliance with this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Yates, Sidney R. [D-IL-9] · D–IL

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

    2. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    3. Introduced in House

    4. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

    Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    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.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.1998 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.1998 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.1998 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.1998 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.

    View full prompt & sources