RIFLE Act of 2025
The RIFLE Act of 2025 is a broad package to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and its regulation of federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs). The bill moves the enforcement process toward stronger due process protections for licensees, introduces a more defined path for penalties and hearings, and tightens or clarifies some standards around licensing, inspections, and recordkeeping. It also creates new procedures for former licensees and new rules governing the handling and public availability of firearms purchaser information, while adding specific inventory liquidation rules if a license ends or is revoked. Overall, the bill curtails some unilateral enforcement powers by requiring notices, hearings, de novo judicial review, and a more stringent, evidence-based standard for “willfulness,” with a focus on allowing licensees to challenge or rectify issues before harsh actions are taken. Potential impact includes more extensive due process for FFLs, potentially slower or more costly enforcement for the ATF, and a greater emphasis on transparent procedures, published standards, and reimbursement of legal fees in certain cases. Small dealers and individual licensees may experience changes in how violations are handled, how quickly actions can be taken, and how disputes are resolved in court or through administrative hearings.
Key Points
- 1Graduated penalties and stronger due process for civil violations by FFLs
- 2- The Attorney General would have limited, tiered enforcement options (including suspension up to 30 days or revocation) and would generally start from nonwillful presumptions unless clear and convincing evidence shows willfulness.
- 3- Administrative actions would be subject to a formal hearing process, public if requested, with protections for notice and the opportunity to achieve compliance.
- 4- Clear timelines for notices, hearings, and judicial review, plus a de novo (fresh) review by a district court if requested.
- 5Reforms to license applications and determinations
- 6- The AG would issue preliminary determinations and allow applicants to supplement information and request hearings.
- 7- Denial of a license could not be based on certain old violations after five years, and certain relationships (like being related to a revoked licensee) would require clear and convincing evidence of willful violation to block a new license.
- 8Redefinition of “willfully” and admissibility of evidence
- 9- Willfulness would require actual knowledge of a clearly established legal duty, understanding of that duty, and deliberate disregard.
- 10- Certain types of evidence (e.g., receipt of a notice, acknowledgments, prior compliance experience) would not be admissible to prove willfulness.
- 11- The full historical administrative record would be considered in determining willfulness.
- 12Reconsideration and relief for former licensees; new claims process
- 13- Former licensees whose prior license was denied or whose license was revoked/suspended while certain ATF orders were in effect could have their applications reconsidered and potentially reinstated, with reimbursements of legal fees incurred during the proceedings.
- 14- Creation of a gunrightsrestored.gov website to administer claims for reimbursement, managed directly by the Office of the Attorney General.
- 15Formal inspection, examination, and investigative standards
- 16- The AG would establish written standards for ATF inspections and license determinations, including mitigating factors to consider before taking adverse action.
- 17- Standards would be publicly available and provided to applicants and licensees.
- 18Privacy and use of firearms purchaser information
- 19- Protections around the disclosure of purchaser information would be strengthened, allowing disclosure only to courts or law enforcement with appropriate certification.
- 20Inventory liquidation and license status
- 21- If a license expires, is surrendered, or is revoked, the licensee would have a 90-day window (with extension for good cause) to liquidate inventory while the license remains effectively valid for certain purposes.
- 22- Special provisions would allow transfers to heirs or other licensees under controlled conditions; exceptions apply if a court finds an immediate grave threat to public safety.
- 23Standards for criminal violations of recordkeeping
- 24- Refinements to what constitutes a false or materially false entry and the level of evidence required to prove recordkeeping violations.