H.R. 18 explained  ·  119th Congress  ·  Pending in Congress

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025

Create a free account or sign in to follow H.R. 18 and get alerts. Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement Create a free account or sign in to follow the Crime and Law Enforcement policy area and get alerts. ▲ 497 days since action Sponsor: Mike Thompson, CA-04, D → Congress.gov

Cosponsors: 214 (212 D, 2 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-11

Introduced: 2025-06-10

Latest action (2025-06-10): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

What H.R. 18 does, in plain terms

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers or exchanges, such as a gift between spouses.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.

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