July 14, 2011 - The House Appropriations Committee adopted language in the FY 2012 Justice Department spending bill that would prohibit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from requiring licensed firearm dealers to report to the ATF the sale of multiple rifles to the same person. The language is supported by the National Rifle Association.
Similar language was added as an amendment to a spending bill (HR 1) earlier in the year that passed the House but failed in the Senate. The earlier amendment (H. Amdt. 126), sponsored by Oklahoma Democrat Dan Boren, was adopted by a vote of 277-149 on Feb. 18, 2011, boding well for its chances this time around. Similar language (S 570) has been introduced in the Senate, but it has not been voted on.
Feb. 18 Vote on H. Amdt. 126
- Pro-gun interest groups, which supported this amendment, gave on average 42 times as much to House members who voted 'YES' ($5,060) as they gave to House members who voted 'NO' ($120).
Methodology: A MapLight analysis of campaign contributions to House members in office on day of vote (Feb. 18, 2011), from Pro-Guns interest groups, January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010. Campaign contributions data source: OpenSecrets.org
