Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 19, 2019

Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

This bill requires a nonimmigrant alien to get Department of Justice (DOJ) approval before purchasing a firearm. Specifically, the party transferring the firearm to the alien must receive a copy of the DOJ waiver or confirm with the DOJ that such an alien falls within specified exceptions, such as the alien possessing a U.S. hunting license. Currently, a nonimmigrant alien may acquire a firearm if the alien qualifies for one of the specified exceptions without acquiring DOJ approval.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13] · D–FL

Committees

Judiciary Committee

7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

Jan 28, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Dec 19, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 19, 2019
Introduced in House
Dec 19, 2019
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in House · Dec 19, 2019 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5507 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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Discuss H.R.5507, 116th Congress: Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5507

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5507/BILLS-116hr5507ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:19:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.5507 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5507 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

Discuss H.R.5507, 116th Congress: Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5507

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5507/BILLS-116hr5507ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:19:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5507 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5507 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

Discuss H.R.5507, 116th Congress: Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5507

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5507/BILLS-116hr5507ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:19:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5507 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5507 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

Discuss H.R.5507, 116th Congress: Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5507

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-12-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5507/BILLS-116hr5507ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:19:29Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5507 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.