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Handgun Licensing: New Purchase Rules and State Support

This act establishes a grant program for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to help them develop and improve handgun purchaser licensing programs. Citizens wishing to buy a handgun will need to meet new requirements, such as being 21 years old, passing a background check, and submitting fingerprints, aiming to enhance public safety.
Key points
Requires a license for handgun purchases, issued by law enforcement agencies.
Licenses must be renewed at least every 5 years.
Applicants must be 21 or older, U.S. citizens or legal residents, pass a background check, and submit fingerprints.
Individuals prohibited from possessing firearms will not be issued a license.
Federal grants will be available to states and local governments to implement and improve these programs.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_770
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Process start date: 2021-03-16
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_770.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-03-16.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Requires a license for handgun purchases, issued by law enforcement agencies.
  • Licenses must be renewed at least every 5 years.
  • Applicants must be 21 or older, U.S. citizens or legal residents, pass a background check, and submit fingerprints.
  • Individuals prohibited from possessing firearms will not be issued a license.
  • Federal grants will be available to states and local governments to implement and improve these programs.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

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