WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today introduced legislation to ensure law-abiding gun owners can exercise their Second Amendment rights during government shutdowns. The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act would require federal agencies to continue processing firearm applications and licenses despite a lapse in appropriations.

“The government shutdown has real impacts on real people, but it certainly should not compromise our constitutional rights. While Democrats pander to their far-Left base, federal agencies have stopped processing firearm applications, unjustly restricting law-abiding Idahoans’ Second Amendment rights,” said Risch. “My Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures our right to lawfully bear arms is not infringed when there is a lapse in appropriations.”

Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). 

During government shutdowns, federal agencies are limited in the work they can conduct. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have halted most operations associated with the background checks and licensing applications due to the shutdown, impacting law-abiding gun owners and disrupting firearm sales nationwide.

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act is supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), American Suppressor Association (ASA), Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and National Rifle Association (NRA).

“NSSF applauds Senator Jim Risch for his leadership on the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act to ensure the firearm industry can continue to fully serve law-abiding Americans during government shutdowns. Their Second Amendment rights, and the constitutionally protected firearm commerce that makes the exercise of those rights possible, must not be held hostage by Congress’s inability to keep the federal government open,” said Lawrence G. Keane, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

“We applaud Congressman Cline and Senator Risch for standing up for millions of law-abiding gun owners and defending Second Amendment rights in the midst of the Democrat-led government shutdown,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act would codify in statute that, while the unconstitutional NFA registry remains in place, government shutdowns cannot be used to punish gunowners. For too long, lawful firearm and suppressor owners have faced unnecessary delays and uncertainty every time Washington fails to do its job. The American Suppressor Association helped lead the fight to get NFA inspectors back to work during the shutdown, and we stand firmly behind this critical legislation to protect and preserve Americans’ Second Amendment rights.”