House Passes H.R. 8: What Does It Mean for Gun Owners?

H.R. 8 passed the house today, but what does this mean for gun owners? Below is a summary of the bill. This was provided by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. The full bill can be read here.

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

• This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals).
• Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.
• The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.

Some critics have accused this as a dangerous step towards a national gun registry that targets gun owners. America is the largest private owner of firearms in the world. American civilians are estimated to own 393 million guns. Thus, making the U.S. the most heavily armed country in the world.Despite the alarming homicide rate in America, Defensive Gun Use (DGU) studies have estimated that guns saved over 160,000 lives last year. Some estimates put it higher, some put it around 50,000. We recently reported on such a case. Specifically, where a 12 year old boy shot and killed a robber who had shot his grandmother.Supporters of the bills have said they are attempting to save lives, in their own way, by keeping firearms away from career criminals. Furthermore, adding they support the Second Amendment, but are just anti-mass shootings.However, the claim could be made that criminals will not abide by these rules, and this only limits law abiding citizens.What do you think of H.R. 8? Sound off in the comments below!

About the CRS

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. CRS provides Congress with analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and non-partisan.