How Easy is it to Get a Gun in America?
In recent years, the issue of gun control has been at the forefront of public debates and political discussions in the United States. The massacre of innocent lives at Las Vegas, Parkland, and other places has ignited the debate, leaving Americans to wonder: Is it too easy to obtain a gun in the country?
Federal Firearms Licensing Requirements
Before understanding the ease of getting a gun in America, let’s take a look at the federal requirements. Any person who wants to deal with firearms must have a federal firearms license (FFL). The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 requires all dealers of firearms to obtain an FFL from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) within 30 days after receiving a license.
Some significant points to note regarding FFL requirements are:
- Age restriction: 21 years or older to purchase a handgun.
- Background check: FFLs are responsible for conducting background checks using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for all buyers and transferors.
- Firearm registration: Records must be kept for five years, and reports should be submitted to the FBI annually.
Gun Buyback Programs and Sales Limits
While the FFL system is in place to regulate gun sales, concerns persist about the ease with which individuals can acquire weapons. Gun buyback programs are implemented at various levels to promote accountability and reduce the number of privately owned firearms.
Moreover, some states and jurisdictions have implemented sales limits, such as:
- National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)-verified dealers in Maryland who purchase more than one handgrip-mounted firearms telescope within a 30-day period must notify the agency that issued their federal firearm license.
- In Washington State, the purchase of seven or more firearms in any one-year period will alert authorities to conduct an inventory of the firearms to track illegal sales and other incidents of gun violence.
Legal and Illegal Markets: What’s the Difference?
The illegal market comprises a significant portion of firearm sales in the United States. Illegal guns come from various sources including:
- Illegal FFLs: FFLs that operate outside legal guidelines, often through offshore registration or false statements, making it difficult for trace-backs and prosecutions.
Key differences between legal and illegal markets include:
| Feature/Limitation | Legally Licensed FFL | Illegal FFL/Black Market/font/span |
|---|---|---|
| Breaching | ||
| Credentials |
