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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 40 (97th)

Handgun Control Act of 1981

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

5 January 1981

Last action

19 February 1981 · Referred

Status

Referred to Subcommittee on Crime.

Sponsors

Rep. Bingham, Jonathan B. [D-NY-22], Rep. Richmond, Frederick W. [D-NY-14], Rep. Rosenthal, Benjamin S. [D-NY-8], Del. Won Pat, Antonio B. [D-GU-At Large], Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15], Rep. McCloskey, Paul N., Jr. [R-CA-12], Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13], Rep. Mitchell, Parren J. [D-MD-7], Rep. Clay, William (Bill) [D-MO-1], Rep. Seiberling, John F. [D-OH-14], Del. Fauntroy, Walter E. [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Burton, Phillip [D-CA-6], Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-33], Rep. Lehman, William [D-FL-17], Rep. Weiss, Ted [D-NY-17], Rep. Ferraro, Geraldine A. [D-NY-9], Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24], Rep. Roybal, Edward R. [D-CA-25], Rep. Rostenkowski, Dan [D-IL-8]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

29 August 2025

Official sourceView documentsShare

Summary

Handgun Control Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to import, manufacture, sell, buy, transfer, receive, transport, own, or possess any handgun or handgun ammunition. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to exempt from this prohibition handguns: (1) required for the operation of licensed pistol clubs; (2) utilized by Federal, State, and local agencies or by licensed security guard services; or (3) manufactured before 1890 and which are unserviceable and intended for use as collector's items. Specifies procedures for the licensing of pistol clubs, including conditions for approval of applications by the Secretary of the Treasury and administrative and judicial review of a license denial or revocation. Sets forth requirements for the operation of licensed pistol clubs, including record keeping of the receipt, sale, or other disposition of handguns. Imposes criminal penalties on persons violating the provisions of this Act, including those persons making misrepresentations in required records or license applications. Subjects to seizure and forfeiture any handgun used, or intended to be used, in violation of this Act or any other Federal criminal law. Establishes procedures for the reimbursement of persons voluntarily delivering handguns to a law enforcement agency.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 5 January 1981

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 5 January 1981

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 5 January 1981

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 19 February 1981

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Crime.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

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Documents

1 official file

Leesvertaling

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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