As we reported last week, the companion bill to S. 941 --  the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act" that was introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on April 30 -- was introduced in the U.S. House this week. 

Sponsored by Representatives Steve King (R-Iowa) and Zack Space (D-Ohio), H.R. 2296 is bipartisan reform legislation that represents the culmination of efforts to address BATFE abuses and problems highlighted in several congressional oversight hearings in 2006.  (To read more about those hearings, please click here.)  H.R. 2296 represents NRA-ILA's latest efforts to pass legislation that will make it easier for gun owners and dealers to comply with federal law and regulations, while ensuring that criminals are punished accordingly.  This bipartisan bill also serves as a vital step toward modernizing and improving BATFE's overall operations.  The bill would roll back unnecessary restrictions, correct errors, and codify longstanding congressional policies in the firearms arena. The House passed similar legislation (H.R. 5092) in the 109th Congress by a 277-131 vote.  A majority of the House -- 224 congressmen -- cosponsored a similar bill (H.R. 4900) in the 110th Congress. 

A fact sheet on S. 941/H.R. 2296 can be found here.