Obama's first year as president marked an inflection point: More firearms were in circulation than people in the country for the first time. June 3, 2022, was National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and most Americans still favor stricter gun laws. But they feel inaction by politicians and big money stymies their passage.
Gun debates in the nation are influenced more by partisanship than public safety, no matter where Americans stand. Most Americans think a federal "red flag" law and background checks could help prevent mass shootings, and bipartisan support exists for both measures.
As for guns themselves, there are more partisan differences. Democrats support more mental health care services and background checks.
On the other hand, most Republicans oppose AR-15 bans, believing that allowing more people to carry guns and providing more armed security will prevent mass shootings.
Below we explore more types of gun control laws.
Common Sense Gun Control Laws
Most Americans support Congress passing common sense gun laws. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, addressed the American people on June 2, 2022, in which he urged Congress to reform the nation's gun laws.
Repealing the Second Amendment or changing the Constitution with common sense gun laws is not the goal. But the gun laws prevent the kinds of violence that so often decimate American communities.
President Biden's address brought a party-line vote to pass the gun control bill H.R 7910 reforms through the Judiciary Committee. Now, 177 Democrats have co-sponsored the bill. Here are a few examples of these measures:
- Raising the federal gun purchase age
- A ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines
- Penalizing gun trafficking more severely
- Promoting gun storage safety
- Updating untraceable firearms laws
- Limit the sale of "bump stocks," which allow semi-automatic guns to fire almost continuously
What are the New Gun Control Laws?
The number of gun control laws enacted by local, state, and federal governments has grown to approximately 20,000 laws. In the United States, gun control laws vary because federal gun control rules are more likely to be broad and generalized than specific, nuanced, and detail-oriented.
The new laws include:
- Enhancing background checks on gun buyers between 18 and 21
- Restricting domestic violence offenders who are not married to their partners should from owning guns under the so-called boyfriend loophole
- States also granting funds to encourage red-flag laws, where police or relatives can petition courts to order the removal of firearms from dangerous individuals.
- Further including programs to improve school safety and mental health among youth
U.S. Gun Control Laws by State
If state gun laws do not conflict with federal law, they permit states to enact their laws. Therefore, the states are the primary forums for gun law innovation. Many states have enacted a variety of gun laws.
Gun laws vary widely between states today, ranging from those that closely mirror federal laws to those that comprehensively regulate the manufacture, distribution, sale, and possession of firearms. Currently, eight states require open and concealed carry permits throughout the country.
For example, state laws can:
- Establish firearm safety standards
- Provide legal guidelines for purchasing and possessing firearms
- Prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms by imposing requirements on sellers
- Regulate firearm possession outside the home
- Define illegal gun possession
- Make sure firearms are stored safely
Here is an infographic with an overview of gun control laws in each state:
Concealed Carry Permit Laws by State
The majority of states issue permits to carry a concealed weapon in public. U.S. citizens 18 years of age and older may not need a permit to hold a permit depending on their state and personal circumstances.
However, gun owners will likely need to carry a permit if visiting another state with a firearm.
Take a look below to find out how long permits are valid for in your state.
| State | Permit Validity from Date of Issuance | State Law |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 years | §13A-11-75 |
| Alaska | 5 years | §11.61.220 |
| Arizona | 5 years | §13-3112 |
| Arkansas | 5 years | §5-73-301 |
| California | 5 years | §26150 |
| Colorado | 5 years | §18-12-205 |
| Connecticut | 5 years | §29-28 |
| Delaware | 3 years | §1441 |
| Florida | 7 years | §790.06 |
| Georgia | 5 years | §16-11-129 |
| Hawaii | 1 year | §134-9 |
| Idaho | 5 years | §18-3302 |
| Illinois | 5 years | §430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 66/10 |
| Indiana | 5 years | §35-47-2-3 |
| Iowa | 5 years | §724.6 |
| Kansas | 4 years | §75-7c03 |
| Kentucky | 5 years | §237.110 |
| Louisiana | 5 years | §40:1379.3 |
| Maine | 4 years | §2003 |
| Maryland | 2 years (plus until the applicant’s birth month) | §5-307 |
| Massachusetts | 6 years | §140-131 |
| Michigan | 5 years | §28.425b |
| Minnesota | 5 years | §624.714 |
| Mississippi | 4 to 5 years | §45-9-101 |
| Missouri | 5 years | §571.101 |
| Montana | 4 years | §45-8-321 |
| Nebraska | 5 years | §69-2430 |
| Nevada | 5 years | §202.3657 |
| New Hampshire | 5 years | §159:6 |
| New Jersey | 2 years | §2C:58-4 |
| New Mexico | 4 years | §29-19-4 |
| New York | Varies by county | §400.00 |
| North Carolina | 5 years | §14-415.11 |
| North Dakota | 5 years | §62.1-04-03 |
| Ohio | 5 years | §2923.125 |
| Oklahoma | 5 years or 10 years for additional fee | §1290.12 |
| Oregon | 4 years | §166.291 |
| Pennsylvania | 5 years | §6109 |
| Rhode Island | 4 years | §11-47-11 |
| South Carolina | 5 years | §23-31-215 |
| South Dakota | 5 years | §23-7-7 |
| Tennessee | 8 years | §39-17-1351 |
| Texas | 5 years | §411.172 |
| Utah | 5 years | §53-5-704 |
| Vermont | Does not issue permits | §4003 |
| Virginia | 5 years | §18.2-308.02 |
| Washington | 5 years | §9.41.070 |
| Washington D.C. | 2 years | §22-4506 |
| West Virginia | 5 years | §61-7-4 |
| Wisconsin | 5 years | §175.60 |
| Wyoming | 5 years | §6-8-104 |
Review the laws in your jurisdiction to see if you need a permit to carry a weapon in your state or in a location you plan on visiting.
States with the Strictest Gun Control Laws
Across all 50 states, Everytown tracks policies on the gun industry, product safety, guns in public, policing, and civil rights. According to a 2022 Everytown report for Gun Safety, these are the states with the strictest gun control laws:
- California (§16000)
- Hawaii (§134-1)
- New York (§265-00)
- Massachusetts (§ 269-10)
- Connecticut (§53-202a)
- Illinois (§5/24-1)
- Maryland (§4-101)
- New Jersey (§39-1)
- Washington (§9-41)
- Colorado (§18-12-102)
What Gun Control Laws Have Been Passed?
Gun policy is one of the most polarizing issues in an era of deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats. Over the last few years, the partisan divides have widened on many other policy proposals. However, both sides seem to agree that gun violence is a serious national issue.
The results are more apparent when Americans are asked about specific gun policies. People are overwhelmingly in favor of universal background checks, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and what are known as "red flag laws."
In any case, here is a list of laws passed.
- Every American who wants a gun must obtain a five-year federal firearms license. The government can confiscate firearms if an individual's license is revoked.
- Before receiving a license, Americans must undergo firearm safety training, including a written test and hands-on instruction.
- Gun buyers must also submit fingerprints, proof of identity, and a criminal background check.
- A requirement is that gun buyers disclose "identifying information about the firearm they intend to buy, including its make, model, serial number, and, is selling or transferring it and the firearm bill of sale."
- The bill states that the license is valid for "single gun purchases." No clear answer is whether additional gun purchases require a new permit or are permissible.
- According to the bill, "procedures must be in place to ensure that firearms are removed from individuals whose licenses are revoked."
- Upon reinstatement of the license, confiscated firearms will be returned to their owners.
- In addition to drug and alcohol abuse history, firearms, ammunition, and other deadly weapons acquisition, and poorly stored or handled firearms, the Attorney General may refuse to issue a license.
The bill moves America in the right direction and is based on an understanding - since driving a car requires a license, so should owning or possessing a gun. If you are going to sell a gun make sure you do so following all legal procedures.
Start your Firearm Bill of Sale now
Helpful Resources:
https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/
https://www.statista.com/chart/20047/gun-carry-laws-in-us-states/
Obama's first year as president marked an inflection point: More firearms were in circulation than people in the country for the first time. June 3, 2022, was National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and most Americans still favor stricter gun laws. But they feel inaction by politicians and big money stymies their passage.
Gun debates in the nation are influenced more by partisanship than public safety, no matter where Americans stand. Most Americans think a federal "red flag" law and background checks could help prevent mass shootings, and bipartisan support exists for both measures.
As for guns themselves, there are more partisan differences. Democrats support more mental health care services and background checks.
On the other hand, most Republicans oppose AR-15 bans, believing that allowing more people to carry guns and providing more armed security will prevent mass shootings.
Below we explore more types of gun control laws.
Common Sense Gun Control Laws
Most Americans support Congress passing common sense gun laws. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, addressed the American people on June 2, 2022, in which he urged Congress to reform the nation's gun laws.
Repealing the Second Amendment or changing the Constitution with common sense gun laws is not the goal. But the gun laws prevent the kinds of violence that so often decimate American communities.
President Biden's address brought a party-line vote to pass the gun control bill H.R 7910 reforms through the Judiciary Committee. Now, 177 Democrats have co-sponsored the bill. Here are a few examples of these measures:
- Raising the federal gun purchase age
- A ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines
- Penalizing gun trafficking more severely
- Promoting gun storage safety
- Updating untraceable firearms laws
- Limit the sale of "bump stocks," which allow semi-automatic guns to fire almost continuously
What are the New Gun Control Laws?
The number of gun control laws enacted by local, state, and federal governments has grown to approximately 20,000 laws. In the United States, gun control laws vary because federal gun control rules are more likely to be broad and generalized than specific, nuanced, and detail-oriented.
The new laws include:
- Enhancing background checks on gun buyers between 18 and 21
- Restricting domestic violence offenders who are not married to their partners should from owning guns under the so-called boyfriend loophole
- States also granting funds to encourage red-flag laws, where police or relatives can petition courts to order the removal of firearms from dangerous individuals.
- Further including programs to improve school safety and mental health among youth
U.S. Gun Control Laws by State
If state gun laws do not conflict with federal law, they permit states to enact their laws. Therefore, the states are the primary forums for gun law innovation. Many states have enacted a variety of gun laws.
Gun laws vary widely between states today, ranging from those that closely mirror federal laws to those that comprehensively regulate the manufacture, distribution, sale, and possession of firearms. Currently, eight states require open and concealed carry permits throughout the country.
For example, state laws can:
- Establish firearm safety standards
- Provide legal guidelines for purchasing and possessing firearms
- Prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms by imposing requirements on sellers
- Regulate firearm possession outside the home
- Define illegal gun possession
- Make sure firearms are stored safely
Here is an infographic with an overview of gun control laws in each state:
Concealed Carry Permit Laws by State
The majority of states issue permits to carry a concealed weapon in public. U.S. citizens 18 years of age and older may not need a permit to hold a permit depending on their state and personal circumstances.
However, gun owners will likely need to carry a permit if visiting another state with a firearm.
Take a look below to find out how long permits are valid for in your state.
| State | Permit Validity from Date of Issuance | State Law |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 years | §13A-11-75 |
| Alaska | 5 years | §11.61.220 |
| Arizona | 5 years | §13-3112 |
| Arkansas | 5 years | §5-73-301 |
| California | 5 years | §26150 |
| Colorado | 5 years | §18-12-205 |
| Connecticut | 5 years | §29-28 |
| Delaware | 3 years | §1441 |
| Florida | 7 years | §790.06 |
| Georgia | 5 years | §16-11-129 |
| Hawaii | 1 year | §134-9 |
| Idaho | 5 years | §18-3302 |
| Illinois | 5 years | §430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 66/10 |
| Indiana | 5 years | §35-47-2-3 |
| Iowa | 5 years | §724.6 |
| Kansas | 4 years | §75-7c03 |
| Kentucky | 5 years | §237.110 |
| Louisiana | 5 years | §40:1379.3 |
| Maine | 4 years | §2003 |
| Maryland | 2 years (plus until the applicant’s birth month) | §5-307 |
| Massachusetts | 6 years | §140-131 |
| Michigan | 5 years | §28.425b |
| Minnesota | 5 years | §624.714 |
| Mississippi | 4 to 5 years | §45-9-101 |
| Missouri | 5 years | §571.101 |
| Montana | 4 years | §45-8-321 |
| Nebraska | 5 years | §69-2430 |
| Nevada | 5 years | §202.3657 |
| New Hampshire | 5 years | §159:6 |
| New Jersey | 2 years | §2C:58-4 |
| New Mexico | 4 years | §29-19-4 |
| New York | Varies by county | §400.00 |
| North Carolina | 5 years | §14-415.11 |
| North Dakota | 5 years | §62.1-04-03 |
| Ohio | 5 years | §2923.125 |
| Oklahoma | 5 years or 10 years for additional fee | §1290.12 |
| Oregon | 4 years | §166.291 |
| Pennsylvania | 5 years | §6109 |
| Rhode Island | 4 years | §11-47-11 |
| South Carolina | 5 years | §23-31-215 |
| South Dakota | 5 years | §23-7-7 |
| Tennessee | 8 years | §39-17-1351 |
| Texas | 5 years | §411.172 |
| Utah | 5 years | §53-5-704 |
| Vermont | Does not issue permits | §4003 |
| Virginia | 5 years | §18.2-308.02 |
| Washington | 5 years | §9.41.070 |
| Washington D.C. | 2 years | §22-4506 |
| West Virginia | 5 years | §61-7-4 |
| Wisconsin | 5 years | §175.60 |
| Wyoming | 5 years | §6-8-104 |
Review the laws in your jurisdiction to see if you need a permit to carry a weapon in your state or in a location you plan on visiting.
States with the Strictest Gun Control Laws
Across all 50 states, Everytown tracks policies on the gun industry, product safety, guns in public, policing, and civil rights. According to a 2022 Everytown report for Gun Safety, these are the states with the strictest gun control laws:
- California (§16000)
- Hawaii (§134-1)
- New York (§265-00)
- Massachusetts (§ 269-10)
- Connecticut (§53-202a)
- Illinois (§5/24-1)
- Maryland (§4-101)
- New Jersey (§39-1)
- Washington (§9-41)
- Colorado (§18-12-102)
What Gun Control Laws Have Been Passed?
Gun policy is one of the most polarizing issues in an era of deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats. Over the last few years, the partisan divides have widened on many other policy proposals. However, both sides seem to agree that gun violence is a serious national issue.
The results are more apparent when Americans are asked about specific gun policies. People are overwhelmingly in favor of universal background checks, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and what are known as "red flag laws."
In any case, here is a list of laws passed.
- Every American who wants a gun must obtain a five-year federal firearms license. The government can confiscate firearms if an individual's license is revoked.
- Before receiving a license, Americans must undergo firearm safety training, including a written test and hands-on instruction.
- Gun buyers must also submit fingerprints, proof of identity, and a criminal background check.
- A requirement is that gun buyers disclose "identifying information about the firearm they intend to buy, including its make, model, serial number, and, is selling or transferring it and the firearm bill of sale."
- The bill states that the license is valid for "single gun purchases." No clear answer is whether additional gun purchases require a new permit or are permissible.
- According to the bill, "procedures must be in place to ensure that firearms are removed from individuals whose licenses are revoked."
- Upon reinstatement of the license, confiscated firearms will be returned to their owners.
- In addition to drug and alcohol abuse history, firearms, ammunition, and other deadly weapons acquisition, and poorly stored or handled firearms, the Attorney General may refuse to issue a license.
The bill moves America in the right direction and is based on an understanding - since driving a car requires a license, so should owning or possessing a gun. If you are going to sell a gun make sure you do so following all legal procedures.
Start your Firearm Bill of Sale now
Helpful Resources:
https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/
https://www.statista.com/chart/20047/gun-carry-laws-in-us-states/
Most Popular Posts
As a property owner knowing squatter rights is crucial. These aren’t your ordinary delinquent tenants and knowing how the law treats them is...
An eviction filed by your landlord hurts your credit report. It is also held as a public record and other landlords can view your previous rental...