Introduced in Senate — S. 3212

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the ATF Improvement and Modernization Act of 2025 or the AIM Act.

Sec. 2. Elimination of limitations relating to firearms trace data

(a) Tiahrt amendments

(1) Fiscal year 2012

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 609) is amended by striking the sixth proviso.

(2) Fiscal year 2010

The sixth proviso under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 3128) is amended by striking beginning in fiscal year 2010 and thereafter and inserting in fiscal year 2010.

(3) Fiscal year 2009

The sixth proviso under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 575) is amended by striking beginning in fiscal year 2009 and thereafter and inserting in fiscal year 2009.

(4) Fiscal year 2008

The sixth proviso under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 1903) is amended by striking beginning in fiscal year 2008 and thereafter and inserting in fiscal year 2008.

(5) Fiscal year 2006

The sixth proviso under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 109–108; 119 Stat. 2295) is amended by striking under this or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year and inserting under this Act.

(6) Fiscal year 2005

The sixth proviso under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 2859) is amended by striking under this or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year and inserting under this Act.

(b) Prohibition on use of firearms trace data To draw broad conclusions about firearms-Related crime

Section 514 of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 113–6; 127 Stat. 271) is repealed.

Sec. 3. Elimination of prohibition on consolidation or centralization in the Department of Justice of firearms acquisition and disposition records maintained by Federal firearms licensees

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 609) is amended by striking the first proviso.

Sec. 4. Elimination of prohibition on imposition of requirement that firearms dealers conduct physical check of firearms inventory

(a) Fiscal year 2013

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 113–6; 127 Stat. 247) is amended by striking the fifth proviso.

(b) Fiscal year 2012

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 609) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds made available by this or any other Act shall be expended to promulgate or implement any rule requiring a physical inventory of any business licensed under section 923 of title 18, United States Code.

(c) Fiscal year 2010

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 3128) is amended by striking the seventh proviso.

(d) Fiscal year 2009

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 574) is amended by striking the seventh proviso.

(e) Fiscal year 2008

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 1903) is amended by striking the seventh proviso.

(f) Fiscal year 2006

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–108; 119 Stat. 2295) is amended by striking the seventh proviso.

(g) Fiscal year 2005

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 2859) is amended by striking the seventh proviso.

(h) Fiscal year 2004

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108–199; 118 Stat. 52) is amended by striking the seventh proviso.

Sec. 5. Elimination of requirement that instant check records be destroyed within 24 hours

(a) Fiscal year 2012

Section 511 of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (34 U.S.C. 40901 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 632) is amended—

(1)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(2)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(b) Fiscal year 2010

Section 511 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 3151) is amended—

(1)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(2)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(c) Fiscal year 2009

Section 511 of division B of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 596) is amended—

(1)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(2)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(d) Fiscal year 2008

Section 512 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 1926) is amended—

(1)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(2)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(e) Fiscal year 2006

Section 611 of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 119–108; 119 Stat. 2336) is amended—

(1)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(2)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(f) Fiscal year 2005

Section 615 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 2915) is amended—

(1)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(2)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

(g) Fiscal year 2004

Section 617 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108–199; 118 Stat. 95) is amended—

(1)

by striking (a);

(2)

by striking — and all that follows through (1); and

(3)

by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.

Sec. 6. Elimination of prohibition on processing of Freedom of Information Act requests about arson or explosives incidents or firearm traces

Section 644 of division J of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (5 U.S.C. 552 note; Public Law 108–7; 117 Stat. 473) is repealed.

Sec. 7. Elimination of prohibitions relating to curios or relics and importation of surplus military firearms

(a) Fiscal year 2023

Section 535 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328) is repealed.

(b) Fiscal year 2022

Section 536 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117–103; 136 Stat. 152) is repealed.

(c) Fiscal year 2020

Section 538 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–93; 133 Stat. 2433) is repealed.

(d) Fiscal year 2019

Section 517 of division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116–6; 133 Stat. 133) is repealed.

(e) Fiscal year 2013

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (18 U.S.C. 921 note; Public Law 113–6; 127 Stat. 247) is amended by striking the first proviso.

Sec. 8. Elimination of prohibition on denial of Federal firearms license due to lack of business activity

(a) Fiscal year 2013

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 113–6; 127 Stat. 247) is amended by striking : Provided further, That, in the current fiscal year and any fiscal year thereafter, no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(b) Fiscal year 2012

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 609) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(c) Fiscal year 2010

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 3128) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(d) Fiscal year 2009

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 574) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(e) Fiscal year 2008

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 1903) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(f) Fiscal year 2006

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–108; 119 Stat. 2295) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(g) Fiscal year 2005

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title I of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 2859) is amended by striking : Provided further, That no funds authorized or made available under this or any other Act may be used to deny any application for a license and all that follows through Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Sec. 9. Elimination of prohibition on searching computerized records of federally licensed firearms dealers who are out of business

The matter under the heading Salaries and Expenses under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in title II of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 610) is amended by striking : Provided further, That, hereafter, no funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to electronically retrieve information gathered pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 923(g)(4) by name or any personal identification code.

Sec. 10. Elimination of prohibition on denying, or failing to act on, application to import certain shotgun models on the basis that the shotgun was not particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes

(a) Fiscal year 2023

Section 536 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328) is repealed.

(b) Fiscal year 2022

Section 537 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117–103; 136 Stat. 152) is repealed.

(c) Fiscal year 2020

Section 539 of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–93; 133 Stat. 2433) is repealed.

(d) Fiscal year 2019

Section 531 of division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116–6; 133 Stat. 137) is repealed.

Sec. 11. Elimination of limits on frequency of record-keeping inspections of inventory and records of Federal firearms licensees

Section 923(g)(1)(B)(ii) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

(ii)
for ensuring compliance with the record keeping requirements of this chapter; or

Sec. 12. Revising standard for Federal firearm license revocation from willful violation to knowing violation

(a) In general

Section 923(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking willfully each place the term appears and inserting knowingly.

(b) Technical amendment

The third sentence of section 923(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking Secretary’s and inserting Attorney General’s.

Sec. 13. Elimination of de novo review and of opportunity to rely on evidence not previously considered

Section 923(f)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in the second sentence, by striking de novo; and

(2)

in the third sentence, by striking any evidence submitted by the parties to the proceeding whether or not such evidence and inserting only evidence that.

Sec. 14. Revising standards for eligibility of Federal firearms licensees

Section 923(d)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking willfully each place the term appears and inserting knowingly.