October 31, 2025
Mr. Cline (for himself, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Ms. Hageman, Mr. Harris of North Carolina, Mr. Collins, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Burlison, Ms. Boebert, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Gooden, Ms. Mace, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Feenstra, Mr. Jackson of Texas, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Downing, Mr. Fine, and Mr. Moore of West Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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
To ensure that certain operations, functions, and services of the Federal Government relating to enforcement of firearms laws and firearm export licensing continue during a lapse in appropriations.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act
.
Sec. 2. Continuation of certain firearm-related operations during Government shutdowns
(a) In general
The operations, functions, and services described in subsection (b) shall be deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property for purposes of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, and the employees carrying out those operations, functions, and services shall be deemed to be excepted employees, as defined in section 1341(c) of that title.
(b) Operations, functions, and services
The operations, functions, and services described in this subsection are the operations, functions, and services of—
(1)
the National Instant Criminal Background Check System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
(2)
the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
(3)
the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and
(4)
the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses.