HB 2545 Summary

• Requires firearms dealers to implement reasonable measures to prevent sales to straw purchasers and firearms traffickers, including screening prospective buyers, reviewing law enforcement trace requests, verifying payment method names match purchaser names, and limiting civilian purchases to one firearm per 30 days.

• Mandates dealers take reasonable measures to prevent sales to prohibited possessors and dangerous individuals, including refusing sales to those showing signs of intoxication, drug use, or mental instability; searching state databases; and refusing to sell at gun shows unless background checks are completed.

• Requires dealers to prevent firearm theft through inventory security measures including locks, lighting, surveillance cameras, alarm systems, electronic record-keeping of serial numbers and purchasers, and immediate notification to law enforcement of any losses or thefts.

• Establishes employee requirements including preemployment background checks, initial and annual training on recognizing illegal purchases, mandatory review of trace request circumstances, and termination of employees participating in straw purchases.

• Requires firearms dealers to maintain $1,000,000 liability insurance, produce biannual public safety reports, video and audio record all point-of-sale transactions for five years, and immediately notify law enforcement of suspected illegal purchases or multiple handgun sales within 90 days.

• Imposes a civil penalty of $500 per violation and exempts bona fide gifts between immediate family members and emergency transfers to prevent imminent death or severe physical injury.