text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Gun Victim Compensation Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. VICTIM COMPENSATION FROM PERSONS WHO UNLAWFULLY PROVIDE 
                FIREARMS TO JUVENILES, FELONS, AND OTHER DISQUALIFIED 
                INDIVIDUALS.
  
      (a) Victim Compensation.--Section 924 of title 18, United States 
  Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
      ``(j)  Victim Compensation.--
              ``(1)  In general.--Any person who sells, delivers, or 
          otherwise transfers--
                      ``(A) a firearm in violation of section 922(d) or 
                  section 922(b)(1); or
                      ``(B) a handgun to a person who the transferor 
                  knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile, 
                  except as provided in paragraph (6),
          shall be liable for damages caused by a discharge of the 
          transferred firearm by the transferee.
              ``(2) Civil action.--An action to recover damages under 
          paragraph (1) may be brought in a United States district court 
          by, or on behalf of, any person, or the estate of any person, 
          who suffers damages resulting from bodily injury to or the 
          death of any person caused by a discharge of the transferred 
          firearm by the transferee.
              ``(3) Disentitlement to recovery.--There shall be no 
          liability under this subsection if it is established by a 
          preponderance of the evidence that--
                      ``(A) the damages were suffered by a person who was 
                  engaged in a criminal act against the person or 
                  property of another at the time of the injury; or
                      ``(B) the injury was self-inflicted, unless the 
                  plaintiff establishes that, at the time of the 
                  transfer, the transferor knew or had reasonable cause 
                  to believe that the transferee had not attained the age 
                  of 18 years or had been adjudicated as a mental 
                  defective or committed to a mental institution.
              ``(4) Period of liability.--No action under this subsection 
          may be brought for damages that are caused more than 5 years 
          after the date of the transfer of a firearm upon which an 
          action could otherwise be based.
              ``(5)  Attorney's fees and punitive damages.--A prevailing 
          plaintiff in an action under this subsection--
                      ``(A) shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees 
                  and costs, and
                      ``(B) may be awarded punitive damages.
              ``(6) Juveniles.--Paragraph (1)(B) does not apply to--
                      ``(A) a temporary transfer of a handgun to a 
                  juvenile if the handgun is used by the juvenile--
                              ``(i) in the course of employment, in the 
                          course of ranching or farming related to 
                          activities at the residence of the juvenile (or 
                          on property used for ranching or farming at 
                          which the juvenile, with the permission of the 
                          property owner or lessee, is performing 
                          activities related to the operation of the farm 
                          or ranch), target practice, hunting, or a 
                          course of instruction in the safe and lawful 
                          use of a handgun;
                              ``(ii) with the prior written consent of 
                          the juvenile's parent or guardian who is not 
                          prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from 
                          possessing a firearm, except--
                                      ``(I) during transportation by the 
                                  juvenile of an unloaded handgun in a 
                                  locked container directly from the 
                                  place of transfer to a place at which 
                                  an activity described in clause (i) is 
                                  to take place and transportation by the 
                                  juvenile of that handgun, unloaded and 
                                  in a locked container, directly from 
                                  the place at which such an activity 
                                  took place to the transferor; or
                                      ``(II) with respect to ranching or 
                                  farming activities as described in 
                                  clause (i), with the prior written 
                                  approval of the juvenile's parent or 
                                  legal guardian and at the direction of 
                                  an adult who is not prohibited by 
                                  Federal, State, or local law from 
                                  possessing a firearm;
                              ``(iii) if the juvenile keeps the prior 
                          written consent in the juvenile's possession at 
                          all times when a handgun is in the possession 
                          of the juvenile; and
                              ``(iv) in accordance with State and local 
                          law;
                      ``(B) issuance of a handgun to a juvenile who is a 
                  member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the 
                  National Guard who possesses or is armed with the 
                  handgun in the line of duty;
                      ``(C) a transfer by inheritance of title (but not 
                  possession) of a handgun to a juvenile;
                      ``(D) a delivery of a handgun by a juvenile to be 
                  used in defense of the juvenile or other persons 
                  against an intruder into the residence of the juvenile 
                  or a residence in which the juvenile is an invited 
                  guest; or
                      ``(E) a transfer of a handgun for consideration if 
                  the transfer is made in accordance with State and local 
                  law and with the prior consent of the juvenile's parent 
                  or legal guardian who is not prohibited by Federal, 
                  State, or local law from possessing a firearm.
              ``(7) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
          shall be construed to limit or have any other effect on any 
          other cause of action available to any person.''.
      (b) Definition.--Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is 
  amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
      ``(30) The term `juvenile' means a person who is less than 18 years 
  of age.''.
      (c) Application of Amendment.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
  shall apply to damages resulting from a firearm that was transferred as 
  described in section 924(j)(1) of title 18, on or after the date of 
  enactment of this Act.
target: Gun Victim Compensation Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to make any person who sells, delivers, or otherwise transfers a firearm to a juvenile, felon, or other disqualified individual, or a handgun to a person who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile liable for damages caused by a discharge of the transferred firearm by the transferee.  Makes exceptions, including for certain temporary transfers to a juvenile who uses a handgun in the course of employment relating to ranching or farming with the prior written consent of a parent or guardian and for the issuance of a handgun to a juvenile who is a member of the armed forces or National Guard. 
  Authorizes an action for damages to be brought in a U.S.  district court by, or on behalf of, any person who suffers damages resulting from bodily injury or death caused by a discharge of the transferred firearm by the transferee. 
  Specifies that there shall be no liability under this Act if it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that:  (1) the damages were suffered by an individual who was engaged in a criminal act against the person or property of another at the time of the injury; or (2) the injury was self-inflicted unless the plaintiff establishes that, at the time of the transfer, the transferor knew or had reasonable cause to believe that the transferee had not attained age 18 or had been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution. 
  Limits actions to those brought within five years after the date of the transfer of the firearm. 
  Requires that a prevailing plaintiff be awarded attorney's fees. Permits the award of punitive damages.
feat_title: Gun Victim Compensation Act