Legal Definitions - gun-control law

A gun-control law is a rule or regulation, established by a government body, that manages how firearms are bought, owned, or used. These laws are designed to oversee various aspects of gun ownership and usage within a specific jurisdiction, aiming to balance public safety with individual rights.

Here are some examples of how gun-control laws operate:

• Example 1: State-Mandated Waiting Period

  Imagine a state passes a law requiring a mandatory 72-hour waiting period between the purchase of a handgun and the buyer actually taking possession of it. This means that even after completing the transaction and background check, the buyer must wait three full days before they can pick up their new firearm.

  This illustrates a gun-control law because it directly regulates the sale and possession of firearms by imposing a specific delay. The law aims to provide a "cooling-off" period, which is a common regulatory approach.

• Example 2: City Ordinance on Firearm Storage

  Consider a city that enacts an ordinance stipulating that all firearms stored in homes where minors reside must be kept in a locked container or equipped with a trigger lock. Failure to comply could result in a fine.

  This is a gun-control law because it regulates the possession of firearms by dictating how they must be stored under certain conditions. The regulation focuses on preventing unauthorized access, particularly by children.

• Example 3: Federal Background Check Requirement

  Federal law mandates that any licensed firearms dealer must conduct a background check on a prospective buyer through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) before completing the sale of a firearm. This system checks if the individual is legally prohibited from owning a gun.

  This demonstrates a gun-control law because it regulates the sale of firearms by requiring a specific procedure (the background check) to ensure that the buyer is legally eligible to purchase a weapon, thereby controlling who can acquire firearms from licensed dealers.