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H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

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H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-03-01 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 390.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-03-01 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 74 (2021): On Motion to Recommit, HR8 (2021-03-11), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 390. 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

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

Plain summary

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers or exchanges, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed 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

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed 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. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] · 210 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Ami Bera (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Deborah K. Ross (D-NC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), John B. Larson (D-CT), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), John Garamendi (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Dina Titus (D-NV), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and 150 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] reported raising $5.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr8 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117