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H.R. 1540: Crackdown on Deadbeat Dealers Act of 2003

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H.R. 1540: Crackdown on Deadbeat Dealers Act of 2003

108th Congress · introduced 2003-04-01 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E633)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-04-01 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E633) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Crackdown on Deadbeat Dealers Act of 2003

Plain summary

Crackdown on Deadbeat Dealers Act of 2003 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to increase the number of allowed inspections for compliance with record-keeping requirements by firearms dealers to not more than three times (currently, once) during any 12-month period. Increases penalties for: (1) knowingly making false statements or furnishing false or misrepresented identification regarding any fact material to the lawfulness of the sale or other disposition of such firearm or ammunition; or (2) making false entries in, or failing to properly maintain, required firearms records. Authorizes the Attorney General to suspend a firearms dealer's license and to assess a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for firearms violations, including failure to have secure gun storage or safety devices (current penalties are limited to license revocation). Permits any licensed firearms dealer who is indicted for a felony to continue to operate until the date of conviction (currently, until the conviction becomes final). Authorizes appropriations for the hiring and training of 500 additional inspectors for the Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Crackdown on Deadbeat Dealers Act of 2003

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · 27 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Ed Case (D-HI), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-hr1540 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108