S. 4776 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jun 11, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRemoves limits on federal gun records administration
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) currently operates under several restrictions when handling firearms data and records. This bill removes those limitations, allowing the ATF to use firearms tracing data more freely, share information through public records requests, require gun dealers to physically count their inventory, consolidate dealer records, and keep background check records longer than 24 hours.
How it affects you
Gun dealers would face new requirements to conduct physical inventory checks and may see their records handled differently by federal authorities. The general public could potentially access more firearms information through public records requests. The official summary doesn't describe other direct effects on individuals.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jun 11, 2026)
Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act
This bill removes limitations on the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to conduct activities related to the administration of federal firearms laws.
Specifically, the bill removes provisions that
• limit the use of firearms tracing data,
• limit the disclosure of data under the Freedom of Information Act,
• prohibit imposing a requirement that gun dealers conduct a physical inventory,
• prohibit consolidating or centralizing records maintained by federal firearm licensees (e.g., gun dealers), and
• require background check records to be destroyed within 24 hours.
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.
2nd SessionS. 4776
A BILL
Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act
Sponsor: Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) · Introduced Jun 11, 2026 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 11, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 7
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2FindingsNo change
- Sec. 3Repeal of certain limitations on the use of database information of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesNo change
- Sec. 4Elimination of prohibition on processing of Freedom of Information Act requests about arson or explosives incidents or firearm tracesNo change
- Sec. 5Repeal of limitations on imposition of requirement that firearms dealers conduct physical check of firearms inventoryNo change
- Sec. 6Elimination of prohibition on consolidation or centralization in the Department of Justice of firearms acquisition and disposition records maintained by Federal firearms licenseesNo change
- Sec. 7Repeal of requirement to destroy instant criminal background check records within 24 hoursNo change