Senators Marshall, Risch Lead Bill to Block ATF’s Ability to Deny Firearm, Ammunition Imports

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and James Risch (R-ID) introduced the Sporting Firearms Access Act to stop the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) from arbitrarily blocking imports of firearms and ammunition.

The Sporting Firearms Access Act clarifies the definition of "sporting purposes" used by the ATF to regulate import of firearms into the U.S. The new definition would recognize firearms and ammunitions used for activities such as hunting, target shooting, and competitions. Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, firearms and ammunition can only be imported if the ATF recognizes it as being suitable for "sporting purposes." Ambiguity in the law has allowed the ATF to arbitrarily deny imports of firearms by U.S. customers and businesses.

The Sporting Firearms Access Act would prohibit the ATF from denying items that are substantially similar to those in circulation in the U.S. and require the agency to work with the firearms industry to determine what items are suitable for sporting purposes. The bill also provides an appeals process for wrongful determinations and a means for judicial review.

Senators Marshall and Risch are joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Ted Budd (R-NC) in introducing the Sporting Firearms Access Act.