Q&A
What is the “boyfriend loophole”?
Federal law prohibits domestic abusers from having guns, but only if they have been married to, have lived with, or have a child with…
Are most gun dealers law-abiding?
A majority of investigations of gun dealers reveal some violations—ranging from failure to keep full and accurate inventory and failing to complete the required forms…
What are hate crimes?
While the legal definition of what constitutes a hate crime varies by states, hate crimes are generally criminal offenses that are motivated by bias…
Who is prohibited from having a gun?
Federal law and state law establish categories of people who cannot legally buy or have guns. These laws vary across the states, but prohibited categories…
How do we keep guns out of the wrong hands?
The foundation of any system to keep guns out of the wrong hands has to start with background check laws. Requiring a background check…
What is the Background Check Loophole?
For more than 25 years, federal law has required background checks on all gun sales from licensed gun dealers. However, federal law does not…
Can states take action to close the Charleston Loophole?
Many states give authorities more than three business days to complete a background check on a potential gun buyer. These state laws take a…
Isn’t gun violence a mental health problem, which requires a mental health solution?
Suggesting that mental health is a driving factor of this country’s gun violence crisis is inaccurate. Research has shown that most people with mental illness…
What is an assault weapon?
Although existing state laws use varying definitions for what constitutes an assault weapon (often determined by the presence of certain features), assault weapons are…
Are cities inherently dangerous?
Although gun violence is primarily concentrated in cities, cities are becoming increasingly safer. Although violence in cities persists, it remains concentrated within small social…
How many states require a person to obtain a permit before carrying a loaded, concealed handgun in public?
Thirty-five states and Washington D.C. require a person to have a permit to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public. Most of those states…
What is permitless carry?
Permitless carry is a dangerous policy that allows civilians to carry concealed, loaded guns in public without a permit. Removing the permit requirement…
What are background checks?
Federal law prohibits certain categories of people from having guns, including felons, domestic abusers, and people with certain mental health histories. Background checks…
Aren’t high-capacity magazine prohibited under federal law?
In 1994, Congress enacted a prohibition on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, but it expired in 2004. Despite public support, the prohibition was…
Are there concerns that threat assessment programs could disproportionately impact student of color or students with disabilities?
Yes. Schools should carefully monitor their threat identification and assessment programs and collect data to ensure that programs are implemented appropriately and are not…
What requirements should states set for carrying concealed guns in public?
States should set strong requirements, including at the minimum: Requiring that a person pass a background check and obtain a concealed carry permit.Requiring gun safety…
Isn’t the technology for 3-D printing guns too expensive to pose a risk?
Relatively cheap 3-D printers are widely available. With the availability of the computer code, it is easy to download, print, and assemble a downloadable…
Are 3-D printed guns illegal?
It may be illegal for a prohibited person (felon, domestic abuser, minor) to possess a downloadable or 3-D printed firearm, but the problem is…
What is a downloadable gun?
Downloadable guns are untraceable firearms that are 3-D printed using computer code that is acquired without a background check. Learn more…
Do laws regulating assault weapons reduce gun violence?
Yes. A 2018 study found that mass shooting fatalities were 70 percent less likely to occur from 1994 to 2004, when the federal prohibition…
Are high-capacity magazines legal in every state?
Nine states and Washington, D.C. have some type of high-capacity magazine prohibition in place. This includes: CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutHawaiiMarylandMassachusettsNew JerseyNew YorkVermontWashington D.C. Learn…
What are high-capacity magazines?
High-capacity magazines are commonly defined as ammunition feeding devices capable of holding more than 10-rounds, enabling a shooter to fire many bullets without pausing…
How can I help make sure my child doesn’t gain access to an unsecured gun?
It is always an adult’s responsibility to make sure children are never in the presence of unsecured guns. Kids will be kids, so don’t assume…
My child received training telling them not to approach or play with a gun. Is that enough to keep them safe?
One study found that young children who go through a week-long gun safety training are just as likely as children with no training to approach…