H.R. 5874 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Oct 31, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps firearm operations running during shutdowns
When the federal government shuts down, most agencies stop work. This bill says certain firearm-related operations must keep going anyway. That includes the FBI's background check system for gun purchases, the ATF's enforcement operations, and the State and Commerce departments' processing of firearm export licenses. To make this happen, the bill classifies these operations as emergency services related to public safety, which allows the employees who run them to keep working during a shutdown.
How it affects you
If you're buying a gun, a government shutdown wouldn't delay your background check under this bill. Gun dealers, firearms manufacturers, and businesses seeking export licenses would also see their applications and licensing processes continue without interruption during a shutdown. Most other federal services would still close, but these firearms-related functions would stay open.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Oct 31, 2025)
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act
This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown.
The bill applies to
• the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF);
• the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services;
• the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and
• the activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses.
Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shutdown because they fall under this or other exceptions are known as excepted employees.)
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5874
A BILL
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act
Sponsor: Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA-6) · Introduced Oct 31, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 31, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”