Senator Cramer Introduces Bill to Allow Interstate Firearms Sales

WASHINGTON – Federal regulations prohibit licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers and collectors from selling or delivering any firearm to anyone who does not reside in the state where the licensee’s place of business is located.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) led his colleagues in advancing a bicameral legislature Interstate Firearms Reform Act (FICRA) modernize and streamline the legal framework governing interstate firearms transactions. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) introduced a companion measure in May.

“The rights of law-abiding citizens, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, should not be dispersed across state lines.” Cramer said. “For decades, outdated laws have placed unnecessary burdens on federal firearms purchase laws across our country. The Interstate Firearms Reform Act strengthens Second Amendment freedoms by ensuring that citizens can purchase and bear arms nationwide. It also strengthens lawful commerce and supports our troops and their families while respecting state laws and regulations.”

“Our federal firearms purchase process is needlessly complicated and unfair to law-abiding citizens, small businesses, and our military members willing to put their lives on the line for our country. The need to modernize and simplify our federal firearms purchase laws is long overdue, and I am pleased that this bill will finally correct this mistake,” said House Majority Leader Scalise.

Additional co-sponsors include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton ( R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC) and John Thune (R-SD). The bill was endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

“This law will modernize the way firearms are sold under federal law and remove arbitrary barriers for law-abiding gun buyers and sellers.” said Randy Kozuch, executive director of NRA-ILA. “On behalf of millions of freedom-loving NRA members, we applaud Senator Cramer for supporting this legislation that will benefit gun owners across the country.

“This is a common-sense law that will allow law-abiding Americans to purchase the firearms of their choice while ensuring that state and federal laws are enforced.” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of NSSF. “Americans can purchase long guns across state lines. This bill would extend that right to handguns. Your Second Amendment right to acquire and possess a handgun for self-defense does not end at your state line. This bill would remove this arbitrary and unconstitutional infringement on Americans’ Second Amendment rights.”

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