Bill Overview
Title: Stopping the Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act
Description: This bill makes it unlawful to import, manufacture, or sell a firearm or ammunition by fraudulent means (e.g., false representations). Further, it makes it unlawful to transmit a wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce related to such a fraudulent importation, manufacture, or sale. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
Sponsors: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in firearm and ammunition import, manufacture, sale, and advertisement
Estimated Size: 100000
- The legislation targets fraudulent activities related to firearms and ammunition, influencing those who might participate in such illegal activities.
- It also affects companies and individuals involved in the legitimate import, manufacture, and sale of firearms and ammunition by imposing stricter guidelines to avoid fraud.
- Law enforcement agencies will need to enforce these laws, impacting resources and attention towards combating fraud in firearm transactions.
- The legislation impacts legal professionals who will deal with cases involving accusations of fraudulent firearm and ammunition sales.
- Commercial entities that utilize wire, radio, or television communication for advertising firearm products must ensure their messaging complies with these laws.
- It may indirectly impact consumers who purchase firearms, as sellers may adjust practices to ensure compliance, potentially affecting the overall market.
Reasoning
- The target population is individuals and entities involved in the firearms market, estimated around 100,000 alongside secondary impacts on consumers.
- The policy budget is focused on enforcement and ensuring compliance over 10 years, with some room for education and outreach.
- The impact will vary significantly across different roles within the firearms industry, from high direct impact on fraudulent actors to none on consumers with no dealings in suspicious transactions.
Simulated Interviews
Firearms Dealer (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy might add more paperwork and checks but necessary to weed out bad actors.
- As a legitimate dealer, compliance won't change much other than maybe slower processing times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Lawyer (California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lead to an increase in legal cases pertaining to compliance which is beneficial for business.
- My clients may need more guidance initially on how to adapt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Firearms Manufacturer (Illinois)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While our operations are above board, this adds another layer of scrutiny that might slow down production.
- Overall a positive step for the industry image.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Marketing Executive (New York)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We'll need to ensure strict compliance with advertising standards to avoid risks.
- This could mean more training and some changes in strategy, but overall a manageable shift.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Online Firearms Marketplace Owner (Florida)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could increase legal scrutiny and require enhanced compliance measures.
- Ultimately, it should help create a more trustworthy marketplace.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Stay-at-home Parent (Arizona)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a consumer, I’m unaffected directly, but I feel more secure knowing steps are being made to prevent fraud.
- This policy hasn't really changed my day-to-day experiences.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired Law Enforcement (Virginia)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems to strengthen enforcement against bad practices.
- Even in retirement, I’m glad to see this level of regulatory movement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Firearms Instructor (Colorado)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might cause some initial disruption among sellers, requiring adjustments.
- Long-term, I hope it reduces bad actors in the industry.
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 |
Small Business Owner (Missouri)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Compliance could mean adjusting our inventory management and transaction processes.
- It's a needed measure to ensure trust in small business operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tech Consultant (Washington)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our consultancy needs to keep updated on digital compliance issues.
- The policy is opening up more work opportunities as retailers seek to align with new guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The size and scope of law enforcement required to implement and enforce the bill's provisions.
- Potential judicial resource limitations due to increased cases brought to court.
- Compliance by small and large scale players in the firearms industry.
- The balance between regulating fraud and imposing overly burdensome restrictions on legitimate businesses.