NRA News

NRA-Backed BATFE Modernization
and Reform Bill Passes the U.S. House

Fairfax, VA - The National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006," (H.R. 5092) introduced by Reps. Howard Coble (R-NC) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), passed the United States House of Representatives today with a bi-partisan vote of 277-131.

Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA Chief Lobbyist stated, "Today marks a great victory for law-abiding gun owners and retailers across the country. H.R. 5092 makes necessary improvements - and establishes new guidelines - for BATFE investigations. It will curb abuses and provide a streamlined process for all necessary parties."

H.R. 5092 was drafted in large part to address recent, blatant BATFE abuses at Richmond, Virginia gun shows highlighted in hearings before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.

H.R. 5092, the "BATFE Modernization and Reform Act", establishes a more efficient system of administrative penalties for licensed dealers, manufacturers and importers of firearms. Prior to this bill, for most violations BATFE could only either give a federal firearms license (FFL) holder a warning or completely revoke their license.

Cox continued, "On behalf of our four million members, I want to thank Representatives Coble and Scott for authoring this bill, and we thank all the legislators who supported it." He concluded, "As always, we appreciate law-abiding gun owners and NRA members for contacting their representatives to let them know they supported H.R. 5092."