Understanding United States Gun Laws

About 40 percent of Americans say that they or someone in their household owns a gun, and 22 percent of individuals report owning a gun, according to surveys from Pew and Harvard and Northeastern. However, when it comes to knowing your rights in addition to the laws and regulations behind firearm ownership in the United States, it can be easy to get confused. From federal to local laws and those coming into place to reduce gun violence, here’s what you need to know.

Basic federal laws

While the second amendment of the constitution states that people have a right to keep and bear arms, there are basic federal laws regarding firearm ownership to be aware of. For example, according to the National Firearms Act of 1934, there are strict restrictions on the ownership and sale of certain firearms including machine guns, short barreled shotguns, and silencers. Laws are also in place in order to prevent certain people from owning a firearm as well, apart from the general age requirement — for instance, individuals that aren’t allowed to possess a firearm includes those who have committed certain crimes, such as those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. When it comes to buying a firearm via a licensed firearm dealer, federal law also requires background checks as well.

Being aware of state regulations

Though there are federal laws in place regarding firearms, it’s very important to take into account that individual states may also have their own regulations and laws regarding the matter as well. “Open carry” laws are just one example of this, which involves restrictions on carrying a handgun openly in public. For example, in Ohio, open carry is generally allowed without a permit, whereas other states allow the practice so long as the owner has a permit or license on hand. California, on the other hand, is considered to be an anomalous open carry state, where the practice is prohibited unless under special circumstances or in certain areas.

Firearms are a controversial subject in the United States, and one that involves a significant amount of restrictions and laws both federally and locally speaking. If you’re planning on getting a firearm yourself, knowing the basic federal laws as well as familiarizing yourself with local laws is imperative in becoming a responsible gun owner.

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Firearm must be in holster
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted “when on a journey” (outside your county of residence)
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No license required
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes Yes Policy is May Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes
Registration of firearm Yes Yes
Open carry allowed Yes* Yes* *Long guns and handguns can be openly carried in some rural counties.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes* Yes* *No permit required. Cannot open carry in posted areas such as Denver
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer and Colorado Bureau of Investigation must approve tansfer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 15 rounds.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes Yes Policy is Shall Issue due to Court rulings.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes There is a 14 day waiting period to purchase long guns.
Registration of firearm Yes Yes Sales and serial numbers are recorded. Does not apply to out of state sales.
Open carry allowed Yes Partial Requires permit for handgun. There is no law regarding long guns and open carry.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 10 rounds.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue. But operates like Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes N/A Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes
Registration of firearm Yes Yes Must be registered with Metropolitan Police.
Open carry allowed No No
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 10 rounds.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No Florida law bans any registration of firearms
Open carry allowed No No There are some exceptions such as when hunting or fishing.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes License required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue but operates as No Issue state
Purchase permit required Yes Yes
Registration of firearm Yes Yes
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Open carry of long guns allowed and no law against handguns but permits are never issued for handguns
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Permit required to purchase handgun. Will require background check to obtain permit.
Magazine size restriction Yes No Can not hold more than 10 rounds in handgun.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No* No *Non-residents require a permit to carry concealed within cities. Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes Purchases need a FOID card.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed No No
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Seller is required to verify purchasers FOID card.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit is required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Carry permit can be used to purchase
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit is required.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No Will need a permit to purchase or carry.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required but can be restricted by some local authorities.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Concealed carry permit required Yes N/A Policy is May Issue. Permits are difficult to obtain.
Purchase permit required Yes No Requires a handgun qualification license.
Registration of firearm Yes No Handguns and automatic weapons require registration with police.
Permit needed for open carry? Yes No Requires carry permit for handgun but usually only police or security guards open carry.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Partial Sales must go through a licensed dealer or police.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Limited to 10 rounds. Possession of higher capacity magazine is legal if purchased out of state.
State preemption Yes Yes Most local laws are preempted by state laws but there are a few laws that are not.
Assault weapons banned Yes Yes There is a ban on certain models of firearms.

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Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Concealed carry permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes Carry permit or FID (firearm identification) required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes No Permit required to open carry handguns. Open carry of long guns is illegal except when hunting.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Seller is required to verify the purchasers FID card.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Must not exceed 10 rounds.
Red flag law Yes Yes Firearms can be temporarily confiscated.
Owner license required Yes Yes FID license required.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No* No *If purchaser does not have a carry license and sale is not through a licensed dealer then they will need a permit.
Registration of firearm Yes No Must be registered with law enforcement.
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit required to open carry in vehicle.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No You must have a carry permit or handgun purchase license which both require a background check.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes Yes Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Residents of Minnesota can use a carry permit to purchase.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit required to openly carry handgun or long gun.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Assault weapon law No No Assault weapons can be purchased with a permit to carry.
Owner permit required No No
Peaceable journey law Yes Yes Gun must be unloaded, in case and legally possessed.
Restriction on NFA weapons Yes Yes Short barrelled rifles and suppressors are legal.
Ammunition restrictions No No
State Preemption of local restrictions Yes Yes Discharge of firearms can be regulated by local municipalities.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted. No license required if firearm is carried in a purse, handbag, satchel, holsters and sheaths.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted. No permit is required however you can still obtain one. A permit will exempt the holder from laws passed by local authorities.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No* No *You will need a permit if you want to carry a concealed firearm in a city or town. Policy is Unrestricted and Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Carry permit or handgun certificate required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Firearm must be visible in a vehicle. Can be restricted by local authorities.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No Need a carry permit to purchase which requires a background check.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes If in a vehicle cannot be concealed on your person without a permit.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes* Yes* *Voluntary, up to seller if they want to do a background check
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required. Long guns in vehicles cannot be loaded.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes Yes Policy is May Issue. Permits rarely issued to ordinary citizens.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes Handgun ammunition, rifles and shotguns require a purchaser ID card.
Registration of firearm Yes No Registration of firearms is voluntary.
Open carry allowed No Yes Carry permit is required for handguns.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No Purchasers of handguns require a permit to purchase. Purchasers of long guns need a firearms purchaser ID card.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Limit of 10 rounds for a semi-automatic rifle or handgun and 6 rounds for a semi-automatic shotgun.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes* No *You only need a permit to conceal carry, open carry is legal with no permit. Policy is Shall Issue but operates as a limited Unrestricted state.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue. Generally it is harder to obtain a permit closer to big NY cities.
Purchase permit required Yes No Outside New York city, Suffolk and Nassau counties permits to purchase a handgun are issued by County or State Supreme Court Judges.
Registration of firearm Yes No It is illegal to possess an unregistered handgun.
Open carry allowed No Yes Carry permit holders must carry their handgun concealed.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Must be through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Limited to 10 rounds.
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Carry permit or Pistol Purchase permit required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No Will need a carry permit or purchase permit to buy a handgun which require a background check to acquire.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Carry permit or Pistol Purchase permit required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No Will need a carry permit or purchase permit to buy a handgun which require a background check to acquire.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required but some restrictions in vehicles and liquor establishments.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes No Requires a carry permit for handguns.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes Yes Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sales must be through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes Yes Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes All places except Philadelphia or in a vehicle.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes No All sales must be made through a licensed dealer or county sheriffs office.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue and May Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Must pass a safety exam and then will be issued a “Blue Card” to purchase.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes For handguns only if you have a permit issued by the Attorney General. No permit is required for long guns.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed No Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Firearm must be clearly visible in vehicle.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Requires a permit for handguns. Long guns must be unloaded if openly carried.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes Yes Policy is Shall Issue. A loaded handgun can be carried in a vehicle without a permit but a permit is required outside the vehicle.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required if gun is two actions from being fired. A permit is required if there is ammunition in the chamber.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Vermont has never issued or required gun permits.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sales must be done through licensed dealer, unless sale is to family member.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Longuns no more that 10 rounds, handguns no more than 15 rounds
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm Yes No Firearms dealers must report all handgun sales to the police.
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required unless it is a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Long guns must be unloaded to openly carry in a vehicle.
Background checks on private gun sales required Yes Yes Sales must go through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required to openly carry a handgun or long gun.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No
Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Carry permit required No No Residents do not need a permit to open or conceal carry. Non-residents will require a permit to conceal carry. Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit is required for residents or non-residents.
Background checks on private gun sales required No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Reducing gun violence

Gun violence within the United States has been a major issue for quite some time, and it’s necessary to be aware that action is being taken on the matter and may result in further restrictions on firearms. For example, recent acts of gun violence across the country has resulted in state lawmakers to fight for new restrictions on firearms to be put into place. Democratic New York state Sen. Anna Kaplan, for example, sponsored legislation that would prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and ownership of “ghost guns,” or firearms that can be assembled at home and don’t have serial numbers.

Privately made firearms have become extremely controversial due to their involvement in crime and gun violence — in fact, President Biden has issued an executive order targeting homemade guns, which will give the Justice Department 30 days to propose a rule in order to reduce the number of such guns. However, it’s important to mention that not all privately made firearms are created for the purpose of violence, as it’s a hobby that many firearm enthusiasts enjoy and take pride in. Building your own AR-15, or Armalite Rifle 15, for instance, can be done at home and allow for maximum customization, allowing you to gain first hand insight on how it works as well as build it with custom parts in order to meet your own preferences.

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