During Gun Violence Awareness Month, Rep. Magaziner Announces Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Gun Sales
WARWICK, RI — On Monday, June 2, 2025, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) joined Rhode Islanders whose lives have been affected by gun violence, local leaders in gun safety advocacy, and members of Rhode Island law enforcement to reintroduce his Prevent Illegal Gun Sales Act.
This legislation, which will be introduced during National Gun Violence Awareness Month alongside companion legislation by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), will strengthen accountability measures for firearms dealers who are selling firearms “off the books,” falsifying records, and providing firearms to straw purchasers, firearms traffickers, and dangerous individuals.
“The impact of gun violence is felt here in Rhode Island, and we know that the vast majority of guns recovered at crime scenes can be traced back to just a handful of dealers,” said Seth Magaziner. “The Prevent Illegal Gun Sales Act will crack down on these bad actors, give law enforcement the tools to hold them accountable, and help stop the flow of illegal firearms used in incidents of violence.”
“This legislation provides law enforcement the support needed to stop the flow of illegal guns into our communities,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. “By holding negligent dealers accountable and strengthening oversight, the Prevent Illegal Gun Sales Act will help keep our neighborhoods safer. We’re proud to support Congressman Magaziner’s efforts to give us the tools to protect our city and save lives.”
"As a gun safety champion Rep. Magaziner knows we need to be doing all we can to keep our families and communities safe from gun violence," said Melissa Carden, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. "Especially at a time when the current administration is rolling back policies and programs that were decreasing gun violence, the Prevent Illegal Gun Sales Act is more important than ever.”
"My daughter’s death wasn’t just the result of an individual choice. It was also the result of a system that allowed that weapon to be accessed in the first place,” said Diana Garlington, Board Member of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Gun Violence and a mother who lost her daughter to gun violence.
View photos from the press conference announcing the introduction of the bill here.
View video from the press conference announcing the introduction of the bill here.
While the vast majority of dealers follow the rules, a small number of bad actors have been disproportionately linked to firearms used in incidents of gun violence. About 90 percent of firearms recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes are traced back to just five percent of firearms dealers, according to a report published by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Rep. Magaziner’s bill will crack down on these illegal practices by authorizing more frequent inspections of firearms dealers, increasing penalties for serious offenses like failing to perform federally required background checks, and strengthening the Department of Justice’s authority and discretion in enforcing gun laws.
Among other provisions, the Prevent Illegal Gun Sales Act:
- Increases the allowable number of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) inspections of firearms dealers from one to three per year;
- Increases the number of ATF inspectors;
- Strengthens criminal penalties for dealers who knowingly violate the law by committing serious record-keeping offenses that aid gun trafficking;
- Permits the Department of Justice (DOJ) discretion in issuing firearm dealer licenses to applicants who pose a threat to public safety or is likely to break the law;
- Provides the DOJ with more flexibility to revoke the license of a firearm importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector who is convicted of serious crimes;
- Lowers the liability standard for penalizing dealers who have broken the law.
A copy of the bill text can be found here.
This legislation is supported by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Giffords, and members of law enforcement.