Fairfax, VA - The United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 5092, the “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006,” with a bi-partisan vote of 277-131.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) strongly supported H.R. 5092, introduced by Reps. Howard Coble (R-NC) and Bobby Scott (D-VA).
Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA Chief Lobbyist stated, “Today marks a great victory for law-abiding gun owners and retailers across the country. H.R. 5092 makes necessary improvements - and establishes new guidelines - for BATFE investigations. It will curb abuses and provide a streamlined process for all necessary parties.”
The “BATFE Modernization and Reform Act” establishes a more efficient system of administrative penalties for licensed dealers, manufacturers and importers of firearms. Currently, for most violations BATFE can only give a federal firearms license (FFL) holder a warning or completely revoke their license.
H.R. 5092 was drafted in large part to address recent, blatant BATFE abuses at Richmond, Virginia gun shows highlighted in hearings before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
“On behalf of our members, I want to thank Representatives Coble and Scott for authoring H.R. 5092 and I want to thank all the legislators who supported it.” Cox concluded, “As always, we appreciate NRA members and law-abiding gun owners for contacting their representatives and urging them to support this bill.”
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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.