PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 10, 2017
Protect America Act of 2017
Preventing Terrorists From Obtaining Firearms Act of 2017
This bill amends the federal criminal code to authorize the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) or a U.S. Attorney's Office to delay for up to 72 hours and file an emergency petition to prohibit a firearm transfer to a person who is being investigated, or who during the past five years has been investigated, as a known or suspected terrorist. Preventing Terrorists From Obtaining Explosives Act of 2017
Additionally, the bill authorizes the ATF or a U.S. Attorney's Office to delay for up to 90 days and file an emergency petition to prohibit the approval of an application for an explosives permit or license from a person who is being investigated, or who during the past five years has been investigated, as a known or suspected terrorist.
The bill requires the Department of Justice to review the terrorist watch and no-fly lists and remove the name of any person whose name was erroneously placed on such lists.
People & committees
Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1] · R–NY
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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