NEW: Langevin Proposes Crackdown On ‘Deadbeat’ Gun Dealers

NEW: Langevin Proposes Crackdown On ‘Deadbeat’ Gun Dealers

Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin introduced a bill today to track down and punish what he calls “the most irresponsible” gun dealers in the country in an effort to reduce gun violence in America.

Know as “The Crackdown on Deadbeat Gun Dealers Act”, the bill would increase the power of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Under the provisions of the Act, the ATF would have the power to make sure that federal firearms licensees are staying in compliance with recordkeeping requirements by increasing the cap on inspections from one per year to three.

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In addition, the penalties issues to dealers who intentionally misrepresent the facts about a firearm sale would increase and the Attorney General would be authorized to suspend a dealer’s license and asses civil penalties for firearms violations, including “failure to have secure gun storage or safety devices.”

“The vast majority of gun dealers, like the vast majority of gun owners, are responsible law-abiding citizens,” Langevin said. “We can protect their rights and livelihoods while taking sensible steps to address what should be the top priority of our gun laws: preventing the wrong weapons from getting into the wrong hands.”