“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
–Thomas A. Edison
What is a background check?
A background check is an investigation into someone’s history. Background checks are used by numerous agencies for a variety of purposes. Regarding gun sales, a background check is used to determine whether or not an individual is eligible to purchase firearms according to the terms of local, state, and federal laws.
Why are background checks important?
A background check is the easiest and most effective way to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals. If an individual is deemed ineligible, the seller is required by law to reject the sale.
What are the current laws regarding background checks?
Currently, federal law requires dealers who are federally licensed, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), to conduct a background check on anyone attempting to purchase a gun. This law, known as the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, went into effect in 1994 and since that time has prevented over two million gun sales to prohibited purchasers including convicted felons, domestic abusers, fugitives from justice, and other dangerous individuals.
Dealers can easily determine whether a customer is eligible to buy firearms by calling in a check to the FBI or another agency to ensure that the prospective buyer does not have a criminal record, or isn’t otherwise ineligible to make a purchase. The background check typically takes 60 seconds for a licensed dealer to complete.
However, federal law does not require a background check on private gun sales. Experts estimate that approximately 13% of the guns sold in America are sold privately, and therefore are done so without a background check. The result is that convicted felons, violent domestic abusers, and many others who are prohibited from purchasing guns under the Brady Act are able to easily purchase firearms through an unlicensed dealer.
How can we prevent the sale of guns to criminals and other violent offenders?
The Brady Act is a good start, but it doesn’t address private gun sales. It’s time for Congress to finish the job and expand the scope of the Brady Act to require background checks on all private gun sales in America.
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Why are background checks important?
A background check is the easiest and most effective way to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals. If an individual is deemed ineligible, the seller is required by law to reject the sale.
What are the current laws regarding background checks?
Currently, federal law requires dealers who are federally licensed, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), to conduct a background check on anyone attempting to purchase a gun. This law, known as the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, went into effect in 1994 and since that time has prevented over two million gun sales to prohibited purchasers including convicted felons, domestic abusers, fugitives from justice, and other dangerous individuals.
Dealers can easily determine whether a customer is eligible to buy firearms by calling in a check to the FBI or another agency to ensure that the prospective buyer does not have a criminal record, or isn’t otherwise ineligible to make a purchase. The background check typically takes 60 seconds for a licensed dealer to complete.
However, federal law does not require a background check on private gun sales. Experts estimate that approximately 13% of the guns sold in America are sold privately, and therefore are done so without a background check. The result is that convicted felons, violent domestic abusers, and many others who are prohibited from purchasing guns under the Brady Act are able to easily purchase firearms through an unlicensed dealer.
How can we prevent the sale of guns to criminals and other violent offenders?
The Brady Act is a good start, but it doesn’t address private gun sales. It’s time for Congress to finish the job and expand the scope of the Brady Act to require background checks on all private gun sales in America.
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Private sellers & gun shows22% of all guns in the US are acquired through private sellers at gun shows and the Internet, and require no criminal background check..
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Support for background checks90% of Americans support requiring criminal background checks of anyone purchasing a gun, including 74% of NRA members and 87% of non-NRA gun owners..
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Background checks workSince its inception, the Brady Act has stopped 3 million gun sales to prohibited purchasers including convicted felons, domestic abusers, fugitives from justice, and other dangerous individuals.
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