Overview

Title

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms.

ELI5 AI

Congress wants to say "no" to a new rule about who counts as a person selling guns as a business because they don't agree with it. They are telling the people who made the rule that it shouldn't be followed.

Summary AI

S. J. RES. 83 is a resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate aiming to disapprove a rule put forward by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This rule defines what it means to be "Engaged in the Business" as a firearms dealer. The resolution declares that this specific rule should have no legal effect, as Congress does not support it.

Published

2024-05-15
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-05-15
Package ID: BILLS-118sjres83is

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
1
Words:
419
Pages:
2
Sentences:
11

Language

Nouns: 167
Verbs: 19
Adjectives: 5
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 11
Entities: 67

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.53
Average Sentence Length:
38.09
Token Entropy:
4.07
Readability (ARI):
17.21

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed bill, Senate Joint Resolution 83, seeks to reject a specific rule from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule in question provides a definition for what it means to be "Engaged in the Business" as a firearms dealer. If the resolution passes, the rule introduced on April 19, 2024, and documented in the Federal Register, will not take effect.

Summary of Significant Issues

There are several notable issues concerning this bill:

  1. Lack of Context: The bill expresses disapproval of the ATF rule but does not explain why Congress finds the rule objectionable. This lack of context might make the legislative intent unclear to the public and interested parties.

  2. Federal Register Reference: The bill references a specific entry in the Federal Register without providing further details. Individuals unfamiliar with this documentation might have difficulty understanding the implications of the rule and why it is significant.

  3. Absence of Alternatives: The bill declares that the disapproved rule shall have no force or effect, yet it does not offer insights into any alternative regulations or legislative actions that might follow. This absence could lead to uncertainty about the future oversight or regulation of firearms dealers.

Impact on the Public Broadly

For the general public, understanding the precise impacts of this bill could be challenging due to the technical nature of the Federal Register reference and the lack of explanatory detail. This lack of transparency can obscure how firearms dealership regulations might change and affect public safety.

Moreover, if the resolution succeeds, it may signify a regulatory gap in how firearms dealers are defined and regulated, affecting public confidence in how these businesses are monitored.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The bill's implications can be different for certain stakeholders:

  • Firearms Dealers and Industry: For those directly involved in the firearms industry, the disapproval of this rule might offer temporary relief or continued operational ambiguity if the rule imposed challenging new standards or definitions. However, it also introduces uncertainty regarding how future regulation might develop.

  • Regulatory Agencies: From the perspectives of the ATF and other regulatory bodies, the disapproval presents a challenge. It might necessitate revisiting the rule to align it more closely with congressional intent or stakeholder feedback.

  • Public Safety Advocates: Individuals and groups focused on gun safety may view this disapproval negatively, as it might signal less regulated oversight of who qualifies as a firearms dealer, potentially influencing how firearms transactions are controlled.

In conclusion, while S. J. RES. 83 deals with a specific regulatory definition, its broader impacts stem from the lack of clarity and direction post-disapproval, which could affect various stakeholders differently. Understanding and navigating these effects will be crucial for those directly impacted by the potential absence of the proposed rule.

Issues

  • The language of the bill disapproves the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, but it lacks specific context explaining why Congress disapproves this rule. This omission could be seen as lacking transparency and make it difficult for public understanding, particularly for those concerned about firearms regulation and industry compliance. (SECTIONS: The section language 'disapproves the rule...which could be seen as lacking transparency.')

  • The reference to a specific Federal Register entry ('89 Fed. Reg. 28968 (April 19, 2024)') without further explanation requires the reader to have specific knowledge of this document. This could make the bill less accessible to those without detailed familiarity with federal documentation, thus potentially reducing public engagement and awareness. (SECTIONS: The reference to a specific Federal Register...making it less accessible.)

  • The bill states that the rule 'shall have no force or effect' but does not offer any guidance on alternatives or additional legislative measures that may be taken following the disapproval. This lack of direction might lead to uncertainty or confusion about future regulatory or legislative actions. (SECTIONS: The phrase 'shall have no force or effect'...consequent to the disapproval.)

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

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Summary AI

Congress has rejected a rule from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives about what it means to be a firearms dealer, and this rule will not be enforced.