H.R. 8Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

2 recorded actions229 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Mike Thompson [D-CA-05]
Cosponsors: 210 · 207 Democrats · 3 Republicans
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: May 25, 2022 · Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 390.

IntroducedMar 1, 2021
Passed the HouseMar 11, 2021
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

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 in good faith.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 8 as passed House on Mar 11, 2021. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

Roll calls on H.R. 82 roll calls on this measure

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Mar 11, 2021Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveMar 11, 2021

How every member votedHouse roll call 75

House Mar 11, 2021 · the primary vote

On Passage

Bipartisan Background Checks Act

Passed

227 Yea 203 Nay 1 not voting

Party-line vote 9 of 430 voting members broke with their own party: 1 Democrat, 8 Republicans.

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How the chamber split

One dot per member. Select a seat or a bar to filter the list.

DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members431 members

Democratic220 members

Republican211 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors210 · 207 Democrats · 3 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 8 and vote against it. 7 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

Who lobbied on H.R. 839 organizations

Organizations that named H.R. 8 in a lobbying disclosure. Only those that cited the bill by number appear, so this is a floor, not a full list.

GIFFORDSIts PAC: Giffords PAC

Budget/Appropriations · Firearms/Guns/Ammunition · Health Issues · Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice +2 more11 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONIts PAC: American Medical Association PAC

Budget/Appropriations · Education · Health Issues · Immigration +6 more9 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2022Filing

BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE

Firearms/Guns/Ammunition9 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATIONIts PAC: National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. PAC

Firearms/Guns/Ammunition9 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2022Filing

AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION

Budget/Appropriations · Health Issues · Firearms/Guns/Ammunition · Environment/Superfund +9 more8 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS

Firearms/Guns/Ammunition8 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

EMERGENCY NURSES ASSOCIATION

Transportation · Health Issues · Budget/Appropriations · Firearms/Guns/Ammunition +1 more8 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACTION FUNDfiled by EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACTION FUND, MEHLMAN CONSULTING, INC.Its PAC: Everytown for GUN Safety Action Fund, Inc. PAC

Firearms/Guns/Ammunition · Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice · Budget/Appropriations8 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

GIFFORDS (FORMERLY REPORTING AS AMERICANS FOR RESPONSIBLE SOLUTIONS)filed by CAPITOL COUNSEL LLCIts PAC: Giffords PAC

Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice · Budget/Appropriations · Firearms/Guns/Ammunition8 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA INCfiled by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC.Its PAC: GUN Owners of America, Inc. Political Victory Fund

Firearms/Guns/Ammunition8 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

187 disclosures name this measure. Retrieved from LDA.gov on 2026-10-04. Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.