RIFLE Act of 2025

This bill changes how the federal government inspects and penalizes federally licensed gun dealers. Small, unintentional mistakes lead to notice and time to fix them, not automatic shutdowns. Serious penalties require strong proof that a dealer broke a clear rule on purpose, and the bill spells out what “willful” means in plain terms. Dealers must get advance written notice, the facts behind the charge, and the right to a public hearing, with penalties paused while the case is heard (except when there’s strong evidence the shop poses an immediate, grave danger). They can also ask a federal court to take a fresh look at the case. Overall, it rewrites ATF processes for inspections, penalties, and licensing to set clearer steps and timelines.

It also tightens rules on license applications and inspections. The bill limits how multiple paperwork errors are counted, defines “willful,” orders ATF to publish inspection standards, lets a closed shop sell off inventory for 90 days, and protects new owners who inherit a business from being blamed for old violations . It narrows criminal charges to focus on material recordkeeping errors, adds limits on how gun‑buyer information may be used, and requires a new website to repay legal costs for people whose licenses were revoked, suspended, or denied under certain ATF policies .

• Who is affected: Gun stores and other federal firearms license holders, new applicants, and families who take over a shop after a death or other transfer .
• What changes: Notice-and-fix for non‑willful mistakes; a strict, common‑sense definition of “willful” with strong proof required; 60 days’ written notice and a public hearing before penalties; and the option for a fresh review in federal court .
• More protections: ATF must publish inspection rules and weigh factors that reduce blame; multiple errors in one sale or one record category count as one violation; and only material recordkeeping mistakes are crimes .
• When: The reimbursement website must go live within 120 days of becoming law, and a shop has 90 days to sell off inventory if its license ends .