Empowering Law Enforcement for Safer Firearm Transfers Act of 2019

This bill requires chief law enforcement officers (CLEOs) to be notified of pending firearm transfers and given an opportunity to object to such transfers.

Specifically, the Department of Justice must notify the CLEO of the jurisdiction in which the individual resides that the individual has an application pending for a firearm transfer. The CLEO then has 90 days to (1) certify that there is no objection to the transfer; or (2) certify that the individual poses a danger to themselves or others, or there is a reasonable likelihood that the individual will use the firearm for unlawful purposes. (Prior to 2016, individuals were required to obtain a certification from the CLEO. Currently, individuals are only required to notify the CLEO that the individual is submitting an application to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.)