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H.R.4344 / 115th Congress

End Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act of 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 9, 2017

End Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act of 2017

This bill requires each state to: establish a reporting system through which mental health professionals may report information about an individual committed to a mental institution who poses a danger or an individual who communicates a serious threat of violence,

provide mental health records to the National Instant Criminal History Background Check System for use in determining whether a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm, and

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establish a process related to the temporary involuntary commitment of individuals at mental health facilities.

Beginning 10 years after enactment, the Department of Justice must reduce by 5% funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for a state that fails to comply with requirements. The bill amends the federal criminal code to expand the categories of prohibited persons (i.e., persons barred from receiving or possessing a firearm) to include persons who communicate a serious threat of violence to a mental health professional.

Finally, it replaces various statutory references to persons adjudicated as a "mental defective" with persons adjudicated as "ineligible due to disqualifying mental status."

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] · D–RI

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  3. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4344 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.

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Fairness and public impact

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Institutions and government scope

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Individual rights and government power

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