Bill Overview
Title: Firearm Industry Crime and Trafficking Accountability Act
Description: This bill outlines certain requirements (and establishes related penalties for failure to comply with these requirements) for manufacturers or importers of firearms. For example, the bill generally requires each manufacturer or importer to create a monitoring database to retain essential facts about the criminal diversion or potential misuse of their firearms.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Target Audience
Population: People working in the firearm manufacturing and import industry worldwide
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill targets manufacturers and importers of firearms. This is primarily an industry-specific group rather than the general public.
- Impact extends globally to all countries that manufacture or import firearms, although adherence and enforcement depend on individual country laws.
- Directly, those who work within the firearm manufacturing and import industry may be impacted due to increased compliance activities.
- Indirectly, communities and individuals may be affected if the bill successfully reduces criminal diversion and misuse of firearms, potentially affecting crime rates.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects manufacturers and importers who deal with firearms directly. This is a niche group compared to the general population.
- The indirect effects of the policy may improve feelings of safety and wellbeing among those concerned about gun crime, but these effects are more diffuse and harder to quantify than direct impacts on industry workers.
- In crafting these interviews, we focus on individuals within the firearm industry, as well as a few individuals from the general public who might feel indirect effects over time.
- Budget considerations limit extensive nationwide enforcement but could effectively reach a significant portion of the industry's compliance departments and efforts.
Simulated Interviews
Compliance Officer at a firearms manufacturing company (Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for accountability, but the policy might overburden our compliance department.
- The long-term benefits of reduced crime might help the industry improve its public image.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Firearms Import Specialist (California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could drive up costs, but may also improve long-term industry viability.
- I'm skeptical about the monitoring systems' effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Graduate Student studying Public Policy (New York)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Potential for reducing gun crime excites me.
- Worried about enforceability without international cooperation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Safety Advocate (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If successful, the policy could lower gun violence, improving community wellbeing.
- Skeptical about immediate effects, since much changes slowly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Firearms Production Manager (Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's unnecessary regulation that will increase costs significantly.
- Doubtful that it will have any real impact on crime.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Legal Consultant for Firearms Companies (Georgia)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could increase the workload but might create more jobs in compliance.
- It's a positive step forward but needs international backing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Gun Store Owner (Nevada)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This adds more red tape and could deter lawful sales.
- Hopes for reduced crime seem disconnected from reality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Import-Export Business Owner specializing in Firearms (Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I foresee increased costs but can manage it.
- Benefits the market, but challenges smaller competitors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Firearms Manufacturer Worker (Virginia)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might bring more jobs in monitoring and tracking, though I don’t see immediate changes for factory work.
- Concerned about cost transfers if sales decline.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired firearms company executive (Washington)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy adds valuable oversight.
- I'm cautious about how it might burden upcoming businesses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 5: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- Compliance costs vary widely between large firms with sufficient resources and smaller firms which may face financial strain.
- The role of IT and data management specialists in establishing and maintaining databases.
- Enforcement of penalties requires robust legal frameworks and resources for monitoring and compliance.