Representative Michael Cloud (R-TX) is leading a congressional effort demanding transparency from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives over what lawmakers claim is an illegal gun registry containing potentially more than one billion records.
Taking to X to comment on the concern, Rep. Cloud wrote, "We do not want this unconstitutional registry, let alone allowing the ATF to procure more records for it. Current law forces FFLs that go out of business to contribute to this unconstitutional registry; H.R. 563 would prevent that."
Cloud added that "ATF's illegal database potentially holds over 1 billion gun registry records, which is a violation of federal law, and the Second Amendment. They have stonewalled Congress for 290+ days; it's past time to deliver answers."
The controversy centers on the ATF's Out-of-Business Records Imaging System (OBRIS). In a letter to Deputy Director Robert Cekada, 28 members of Congress expressed frustration over the agency's silence.
The letter states, "We, the undersigned members of Congress, have waited patiently to know how many records ATF is currently maintaining in its illegal, digital, searchable gun registry, also known as the Out-of-Business Records Imaging System (OBRIS)."
The initial inquiry was submitted on February 14, 2025, coming up on a year, with no response.
A November 2021 document revealed the ATF was "processing" over 54.7 million Out-of-Business Records annually. A congressional investigation found the ATF possessed 920,664,765 gun registration records.
Lawmakers now estimate the database could contain 1.1 billion records.
The letter cites 18 U.S.C. 926(a)(3), which prohibits the establishment of any "system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions be established." Lawmakers argue this threatens Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The letter was signed by:
- Michael Cloud (R-TX)
- Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)
- Andrew Clyde (R-GA)
- Andy Ogles (R-TN)
- Adrian Smith (R-NE)
- Tracey Mann (R-KS)
- Mary Miller (R-IL)
- Sheri Biggs (R-SC)
- Barry Moore (R-AL)
- Rich McCormick (R-GA)
- Pat Fallon (R-TX)
- Dave Taylor (R-NY)
- Pete Stauber (R-MN)
- John Rose (R-TN)
- Andy Biggs (R-AZ)
- Eric Burlison (R-MO)
- Wesley Hunt (R-TX)
- Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL)
- Matt Van Epp (R-MI)
- Chip Roy (R-TX)
- Ben Cline (R-VA)
- Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
- Nick Begich (R-AK)
- Lauren Boebert (R-CO)
- Lance Gooden (R-TX)
- John J. McGuire (R-VA)
- Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)
The lawmakers set a firm deadline of February 10, 2026, for answers. As of now, there have been no updates on the matter.
