Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

Summary

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015 The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States. Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances. This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession.

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Timeline

1. 19 November 2015

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8164)

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 19 November 2015

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 19 November 2015 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 19 November 2015

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 19 November 2015

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 19 November 2015

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Richard Durbin · D · Sponsor
• Kirsten Gillibrand · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] · D · Sponsor
• Richard Blumenthal · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH] · D · Cosponsor
• Edward Markey · D · Cosponsor
• Sheldon Whitehouse · D · Cosponsor
• Angus King · I · Cosponsor
• Jeff Merkley · D · Cosponsor
• Christopher Murphy · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← Defeat ISIS and Protect and Secure the United States Act of 2015
• related to ← Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015