Enhanced Background Checks Act
# Enhanced Background Checks Act

The Enhanced Background Checks Act is a proposed United States law that would strengthen background check procedures done before a federal firearms licensee may transfer a firearm to a person who does not have a federal firearms license.

## Background

In the United States, access to guns is controlled by law under a number of federal statutes. These laws regulate the manufacture, trade, possession, transfer, record keeping, transport, and destruction of firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories. They are enforced by state agencies and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In addition to federal gun laws, all state governments and some local governments have their own laws that regulate firearms.

The right to keep and bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

## Legislative history

As of March 15, 2021:

| Congress | Short title | Bill number(s) | Date introduced | Sponsor(s) | # of cosponsors | Latest status |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 116th Congress | Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 | H.R. 1112 | February 8, 2019 | Jim Clyburn (D-SC) | 15 | Passed in the House (228–198). |
| 117th Congress | Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 | H.R. 1446 | March 11, 2021 | Jim Clyburn (D-SC) | 165 | Passed in the House (219–210). |
