Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Senator Markey, would allow the government to inspect gun shops up to three times a year. Currently, the agency that oversees firearms is generally limited to just one compliance inspection per year, making it harder to catch dealers who are not following federal laws.
• Gun dealers who fail to keep proper records could face much tougher punishments. The maximum prison time for these offenses would increase from one year to five years, and it could reach 10 years if the recordkeeping errors are linked to illegal gun trafficking.
• The government would gain the power to fine gun dealers up to $10,000 per violation or suspend their licenses for various rule-breaking actions, such as failing to have gun locks or safety devices available for customers. It also allows officials to deny a license if they believe an applicant is unlikely to follow the law.
• If a dealer is convicted of a felony, they would lose their license immediately. Additionally, if 10 or more guns used in crimes are traced back to a specific shop, the owner could be forced to perform a full physical inventory to account for every weapon in their store.
• To carry out these new rules, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would be authorized to hire at least 80 additional employees. These new workers would focus specifically on conducting more frequent inspections of gun stores to ensure they are operating honestly.