S. 42 · 116th Congress · 2019–2020
Background Check Expansion Act
S. 42 in the 116th Congress (2019–2020) was introduced on Jan 8, 2019, sponsored by Christopher Murphy with 41 co-sponsors.
During the 116th Congress (2019–2020), Donald Trump was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.
- Status
- Introduced
- Introduced
- Jan 8, 2019
- Co-sponsors
- 41
- Policy area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
What it does
Background Check Expansion Act 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.
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Sponsor
Christopher Murphy (D-CT). Co-sponsors: 40 Democrats, 1 Independent.
Where it stands
- IntroducedJan 8, 2019
- Passed the Senate—
- Passed the House—
- Sent to the President—
- Became law—
Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Jan 8, 2019)
Other Crime and Law Enforcement bills in the 116th Congress
- H.R. 2379: To reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program.
- S. 744: Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act of 2019
- S. 998: Supporting and Treating Officers In Crisis Act of 2019
- H.R. 724: Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act
- H.R. 4258: Reauthorizing Security for Supreme Court Justices Act of 2019
- H.R. 5277: To amend section 442 of title 18, United States Code, to exempt certain interests in mutual funds…
- H.R. 777: Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019
- S. 3201: Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act
- S. 2746: Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act
- H.R. 886: Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019
Committees
- Judiciary Committee
More
From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.
Cite or embed this page
Capitol Receipts, “S. 42 (116th Congress): Background Check Expansion Act,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/116-s-42/background-check-expansion-act (accessed 2026-10-13).