That is a very good question. Carol A. Pettit, Legislative Attorney, and Vastine D. Platte, Information Research Specialist, on behalf of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) answer this question in great detail in a 2011 paper entitled Exemptions for Firearms in Bankruptcy. CRS is a “think tank” that provides reports and memoranda to members of Congress on a variety of topics relevant to current policy issues and events. Comprehensive analyses of complex topics are provided to Congress upon request. The agency also provides workshops, seminars and expert congressional testimony. Its first duty is to help Congress meet its responsibilities at every stage of the legislative process.