HF 4430 Summary

• Requires unlicensed persons conducting firearm transfers to use a federally licensed firearms dealer to conduct a background check on the transferee before the transfer occurs.

• Creates criminal penalties: first conviction for transferring a firearm without a background check is a gross misdemeanor; second or subsequent conviction is a felony punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or $5,000 fine.

• Exempts certain transfers from background check requirements, including transfers between immediate family members, law enforcement personnel, antique firearms, temporary transfers for hunting or shooting ranges, and transfers to heirs upon death.

• Allows federally licensed firearms dealers to charge a reasonable fee for facilitating background checks and transfers between unlicensed persons.

• Effective August 1, 2018, and repeals prior provisions requiring identity verification for unknown transferees.