Bill Overview
Title: AIM Act of 2022
Description: This bill removes limitations on the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to conduct activities related to the administration of federal firearms laws. Specifically, the bill removes provisions that limit the use of firearms tracing data; prohibit consolidating or centralizing records maintained by federal firearm licensees, or FFLs (e.g., gun dealers); prohibit imposing a requirement that gun dealers conduct a physical inventory; require national instant criminal background check records to be destroyed within 24 hours; limit the disclosure of data under the Freedom of Information Act; prohibit the ATF from altering the definition of a curio or relic firearm; prohibit the denial of a federal firearms license due to lack of business activity; prohibit transferring the ATF's functions, missions, or activities to other agencies or departments; prohibit the electronic retrieval of information gathered from firearm transaction records of FFLs that go out of business; and prohibit the ATF from denying an application to import certain shotguns. Additionally, the bill raises the liability standard for denying or revoking a federal firearms license from a willful violation to a knowing violation of federal firearms laws or regulations, and removes the de novo standard of judicial review for appealing the denial or revocation of a federal firearms license.
Sponsors: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by changes to firearms regulation in the United States
Estimated Size: 335000000
- The bill affects the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), giving them more authority in the administration of federal firearms laws.
- It impacts federal firearms licensees (FFLs) by altering how records can be managed and by changing the standards for licensing and revocation.
- The public at large may be affected through changes in firearm tracing, record management, and background check processes.
- The bill could lead to changes in how firearms transactions are monitored and regulated in the United States largely through modified ATF activities.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts two groups: federal firearm licensees (FFLs) and the general public, with secondary impacts on firearm owners and potential buyers.
- The policy could lead to increased regulation and oversight by the ATF, which might be seen as beneficial by those concerned about gun violence, but potentially intrusive by FFLs.
- Given the budget constraints, the impact will depend on the available resources to implement the changes efficiently and the potential backlash or support from various stakeholders.
- The general public's wellbeing might be affected indirectly by perceived changes in public safety or personal freedoms related to gun ownership.
Simulated Interviews
Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The AIM Act sounds like it would strengthen oversight, which is critical for public safety.
- As someone who values gun control, I think increased ATF authority is a good step toward reducing gun violence.
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 | 8 | 7 |
Gun store owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean more paperwork and regulations for my business.
- I am worried about increased government oversight and loss of autonomy over my inventory.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Police officer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased tracking and regulation of firearms could assist law enforcement.
- I believe this will make it easier to solve gun-related crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
College student (Boulder, CO)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for regulation, but I'm concerned about government overreach.
- It feels like my rights are being slowly eroded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
IT professional (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hoping this policy will lead to a decrease in gun violence in my city.
- Safer streets are better for everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Elementary school teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased regulation could mean fewer tragedies like school shootings.
- I support measures that could protect the children in my community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like an unnecessary intrusion by the government.
- I am worried about how this will affect my rights as a gun owner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Federal employee (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This aims to streamline processes and improve data handling.
- It might increase job security for those of us in federal roles.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Farmer (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about more regulations leading to higher costs and restrictions.
- Firearms are essential tools for my rural lifestyle and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Journalist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could increase transparency, which is good for my reporting.
- However, I worry it could infringe on privacy rights.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $73000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $34000000, High: $76000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $37000000, High: $81000000)
Year 10: $68000000 (Low: $43000000, High: $95000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $95000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The balance between regulatory improvements and costs to the ATF.
- The potential impact on public safety due to changes in records management and firearms tracing.
- Compliance costs for FFLs as they adapt to new regulations.