BATF AMMO BAN

A Democratic lawmaker wants to require in-person identification for all online ammunition purchases. (Joe Songer/jsonger@al.com).

(JOE SONGER)

There have been several recent Congressional

So far, those have been unsuccessful. Now, there's a new effort - this one aimed at online ammunition purchases.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-NJ, has introduced the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act that would require federally licensed ammunition dealers to confirm the identity of those wanting to purchase ammunition online by verifying photo identification in person.

The bill would also require ammunition vendors to report any sales of more than 1,000 rounds within five consecutive days to the U.S. Attorney General, if the person purchasing ammunition is not a licensed dealer.



"This bill would take the most basic steps to slow the proliferation of guns and ammunition, helping to prevent events like what we saw in Aurora, Colorado three years ago," Watson Coleman said, referring to the movie theater shooting that killed 12 and injured 70 in 2012. "Congress can, and must do more to keep our families safe, and we're urging them to do just that."

The bill would not technically put an end to online ammunition sales but would require a purchaser to supply identification in person before the product could be shipped.

Earlier this year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms proposed a ban on certain types of ammunition, only to withdraw the proposal following outcry from lawmakers, gun groups and sportsmen.