Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025
U.S. Congress · S3085 ·
Progression
Timing in context
Primary sponsor's contributions received (same period)
Adjacency in time is shown for context; it is not evidence of cause. Funded ≠ false — see the methodology.
What the bill says
Introduced 2025-10-30. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Summary (plain-language)
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025 This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown. The bill applies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, 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 (ATF); the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services; the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and the activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses. Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shutdown because they fall under this or other exceptions are known as excepted employees.)
Sponsors
- James E. Risch (primary)
- Jim Banks
- Mike Crapo
- Shelley Moore Capito
- John Cornyn
- Bill Cassidy
- Steve Daines
- Cindy Hyde-Smith
- James C. Justice
- James Lankford
- Ashley Moody
- Pete Ricketts
- Tim Sheehy
Text versions
- Introduced in Senate — 2025-10-30 — XML
What analysts say
No nonpartisan analysis on file for this measure yet.
What politicians say
No linked claims or utterances yet — no one on record has cited this measure to justify a public argument.
Action History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 2025-10-30 | Introduced in Senate |
| 2025-10-30 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. |