Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act
Summary
The "Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act" aims to reduce gun crime by targeting federally licensed firearms dealers with a high number of firearms traced to crime within a short time frame. It mandates the Attorney General to publish a list of these dealers annually. Federal agencies would be prohibited from contracting with these dealers, with a waiver possible for national security reasons.
Expected Effects
The Act could reduce the supply of firearms from dealers who are sources of guns used in crimes. This may lead to a decrease in gun violence. However, it could also create challenges for federal agencies in procuring firearms if many dealers are listed.
Potential Benefits
- May reduce gun violence by holding dealers accountable.
- Could incentivize dealers to improve inventory control and prevent illegal sales.
- Enhances transparency by making the list of problematic dealers public.
- Potentially reduces the number of firearms used in crimes.
- Could improve public safety by reducing the availability of guns used in crime.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May create difficulties for federal agencies in procuring firearms, especially if waivers are not readily granted.
- Could lead to legal challenges from dealers who feel they are unfairly targeted.
- Potential for the list to be misused for political purposes.
- May not significantly impact overall gun crime if other sources of illegal firearms remain unaddressed.
- Could disproportionately affect smaller dealers who may have fewer resources to prevent straw purchases.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's alignment with the Constitution is complex. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, but this right is not unlimited. The government can regulate firearms to promote public safety. The Act's restrictions on federal contracts could be challenged under the Fifth Amendment's due process clause if dealers are not given adequate notice and opportunity to contest their inclusion on the list. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but federal contracting is generally within federal authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).