Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025
Congress Proposes Extending Gun Background Check Wait Times to 20 Days to Close Loophole
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill changes how long a person must wait to buy a gun if their background check is not finished immediately. Currently, if the background check system does not give an answer within three days, the sale can often go through anyway. This new rule would require a much longer wait to ensure the check is actually finished.
- If the background check system is slow, the buyer would first have to wait 10 business days. After that, the buyer must send a special request to the government asking for a final decision. The government then has another 10 business days to finish the check before the gun can be sold.
- This is designed to prevent people who are not allowed to own guns from getting them just because the system is busy or missing information. It specifically aims to close a gap that has allowed some people to buy weapons before their criminal records were fully reviewed.
- The bill also requires the government to track how many people are blocked by these new rules and whether the changes help protect victims of domestic violence and stalking. This information will be used to see if the law is working as intended.
- If this bill becomes law, the new rules would start 210 days after it is signed. This gives gun stores and the government about seven months to get ready for the new system and the new paperwork required for buyers.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
People with criminal records who are legally prohibited from owning firearms would find it much harder to slip through the system. Currently, if NICS doesn't respond within 3 business days, the sale can proceed — sometimes allowing prohibited persons to obtain guns. Under this bill, the extended review period gives investigators far more time to flag disqualifying records, making it more likely that prohibited purchasers are caught and denied.
Disabilities
Activities
Broader Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articlesHouse Democrats reintroduce bills to expand gun background checks, close 'Charleston loophole'
Rep. James Clyburn and Rep. Mike Thompson led House Democrats in reintroducing legislation to establish universal background checks and extend the review period for firearm sales. The Enhanced Background Checks Act specifically targets the 'Charleston loophole' by extending the wait to 10 days.
The 'Charleston Loophole' and the 2025 Legislative Push
House Democrats are once again putting gun control at the forefront with the reintroduction of the Enhanced Background Checks Act. The bill faces a steep climb in the Republican-controlled House, where members have historically viewed the 10-day wait as a de facto infringement on gun rights.
Background check delays: How the 2025 Act changes the rules for gun buyers
Under the proposed Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025, the current three-day rule is replaced. If a check isn't cleared in 10 days, the buyer must petition the government for a final decision, which can take another 10 days, effectively creating a potential month-long wait for some sales.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(130)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.