By Ed Somers
October 9, 2006

Fortunately, Congress recessed September 29 without passing three anti-gun safety bills that would have protected those who buy and sell guns illegally.

The House approved H.R. 5092, the “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act”, by a vote of 277-131 September 26. The bill would:

• Relax the recordkeeping requirements on federal firearms licensees (FFLs);

• Set up procedures that would make it harder for ATF to revoke their licenses; and

• Provide dealers 60 days to sell their inventory if the ATF revokes their license.

An effort was made to push this bill through the Senate in the final days of the session, but that effort was successfully blocked. Congress will return for a lame-duck session the week of November 13, at which time there could be another effort to push the bill through the Senate, or attach it to other legislation.

Two other gun bills opposed by the Conference of Mayors, H.R. 5005 and H.R. 1384, did not reach the House floor for action prior to adjournment.