States With Background Checks For Gun Purchase
Which States Require Background Checks
While federal laws provide a baseline, states have their own regulations regarding background checks for gun purchases. ... © 2003-2026 Delta ...
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/which-states-require-a-background-check-for-handgun-purchases/Background Check and/or Purchase Permit | Everytown Research & Policy
22 states have adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Alabama has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Alaska has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Arizona has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Arkansas has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit California has adopted this policy - Does the law cover only handgun...
https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/law/background-check-and-or-purchase-permit/
Background Check and/or Purchase Permit | Everytown Research & Policy
22 states have adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Alabama has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Alaska has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Arizona has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit Arkansas has not adopted this policy Background Check and/or Purchase Permit California has adopted this policy - Does the law cover only handgun...
https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/law/background-check-and-or-purchase-permit/
Brady State Lists | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms ...
FBI – long guns. New Hampshire. New Hampshire Department of Safety for handguns. FBI – long guns. Español. Last Reviewed January 15, 2026. Keep up with the ...
https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/laws-alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives/gun-control-act/brady-law/brady-state-listsUniversal Background Checks | GIFFORDS
Universal background checks are essential to close deadly loopholes in our laws that allow millions of guns to end up in the hands of individuals at an elevated risk of committing violence each year. Though more than 90% of the American public supports background checks for all gun sales, a dangerous and deadly loophole in federal gun laws still exempts unlicensed sellers from having to perform any background check whatsoever...
https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/universal-background-checks/
Universal Background Checks | GIFFORDS
Universal background checks are essential to close deadly loopholes in our laws that allow millions of guns to end up in the hands of individuals at an elevated risk of committing violence each year. Though more than 90% of the American public supports background checks for all gun sales, a dangerous and deadly loophole in federal gun laws still exempts unlicensed sellers from having to perform any background check whatsoever...
https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/universal-background-checks/
Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases
Progress. 17 states and DC – laws requiring universal background checks for firearms purchases ... © Copyright 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights ...
https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/state-advocacy/universal-background-checks-for-gun-purchases/?srsltid=AfmBOoojat790HcpvcU5BGoqfRcIy09uNLwagtBR0FZe4dLN4JvKGASXGun laws in the United States by state - Wikipedia
Gun laws in the United States regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. State laws (and the laws of the District of Columbia and of the U.S. territories) vary considerably, and are independent of existing federal firearms laws, although they are sometimes broader or more limited in scope than the federal laws.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state
Gun laws in the United States by state - Wikipedia
Gun laws in the United States regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. State laws (and the laws of the District of Columbia and of the U.S. territories) vary considerably, and are independent of existing federal firearms laws, although they are sometimes broader or more limited in scope than the federal laws.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state
NRA-ILA | Background Checks | NICS
NRA opposes expanding firearm background check systems, because background checks don’t stop criminals from getting firearms, because some proposals to do so would deprive individuals of due process of law, and because NRA opposes firearm registration. Background checks don’t necessarily stop criminals from getting firearms.
https://www.nraila.org/get-the-facts/background-checks-nics/
NRA-ILA | Background Checks | NICS
NRA opposes expanding firearm background check systems, because background checks don’t stop criminals from getting firearms, because some proposals to do so would deprive individuals of due process of law, and because NRA opposes firearm registration. Background checks don’t necessarily stop criminals from getting firearms.
https://www.nraila.org/get-the-facts/background-checks-nics/
Private Gun Sale Laws by State - FindLaw
Find a Qualified Attorney Near You Find a Qualified Attorney Near You Search by legal issue and/or location Enter information in one or both fields. (Required) Find a Lawyer Private Gun Sale Laws by State The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors.
https://www.findlaw.com/consumer/consumer-transactions/private-gun-sale-laws-by-state.html
Private Gun Sale Laws by State - FindLaw
Find a Qualified Attorney Near You Find a Qualified Attorney Near You Search by legal issue and/or location Enter information in one or both fields. (Required) Find a Lawyer Private Gun Sale Laws by State The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors.
https://www.findlaw.com/consumer/consumer-transactions/private-gun-sale-laws-by-state.html
Can universal background checks curb gun violence?
Recent mass shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Uvalde, Texas; and Buffalo, New York are just three of the 233 mass shootings in the U.S. this year — down slightly from 240 mass shootings at this time last year, according to tallies from the Gun Violence Archive, an independent, nonprofit project unaffiliated with an advocacy group.
https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/background-checks-gun-violence-research/
Can universal background checks curb gun violence?
Recent mass shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Uvalde, Texas; and Buffalo, New York are just three of the 233 mass shootings in the U.S. this year — down slightly from 240 mass shootings at this time last year, according to tallies from the Gun Violence Archive, an independent, nonprofit project unaffiliated with an advocacy group.
https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/background-checks-gun-violence-research/
HR18 | US Congress 2025-2026 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 - Legislative Tracking | PolicyEngage
− Full Text − Actions (2) On June 10, 2025 in the House: - Introduced in House - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. − Sponsors (211) Type: Primary Sponsor...
https://trackbill.com/bill/us-congress-house-bill-18-bipartisan-background-checks-act-of-2025/2731982/
HR18 | US Congress 2025-2026 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 - Legislative Tracking | PolicyEngage
− Full Text − Actions (2) On June 10, 2025 in the House: - Introduced in House - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. − Sponsors (211) Type: Primary Sponsor...
https://trackbill.com/bill/us-congress-house-bill-18-bipartisan-background-checks-act-of-2025/2731982/
Universal Background Check Bill passes House
Universal Background Check Bill passes House HARRISBURG, Sep. 30 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the Universal Background Check bill by a vote of 104-99. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Perry Warren (D-31) and would eliminate the existing exemption from background checks for the private sale of long guns.
https://www.pahouse.com/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=140407
Universal Background Check Bill passes House
Universal Background Check Bill passes House HARRISBURG, Sep. 30 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the Universal Background Check bill by a vote of 104-99. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Perry Warren (D-31) and would eliminate the existing exemption from background checks for the private sale of long guns.
https://www.pahouse.com/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=140407
Universal Background Checks • NSSF
So-Called "Universal" Background Checks - There are a few glaring problems with so-called “universal” background checks. NSSF urges lawmakers to ensure that the current Background Check System has the proper resources to guarantee it’s operating as effectively and efficiently as Congress intended it to.
https://www.nssf.org/government-relations/factsheets/universal-background-checks/
Universal Background Checks • NSSF
So-Called "Universal" Background Checks - There are a few glaring problems with so-called “universal” background checks. NSSF urges lawmakers to ensure that the current Background Check System has the proper resources to guarantee it’s operating as effectively and efficiently as Congress intended it to.
https://www.nssf.org/government-relations/factsheets/universal-background-checks/
Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law • Washington State Standard
10:12 News Story Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed into law a controversial policy requiring gun buyers to first pay for a new state permit. Starting in two years, House Bill 1163 will require those interested in purchasing guns to apply for a five-year permit through the Washington State Patrol.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/20/washingtonians-will-need-state-permit-to-buy-guns-under-new-law/
Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law • Washington State Standard
10:12 News Story Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed into law a controversial policy requiring gun buyers to first pay for a new state permit. Starting in two years, House Bill 1163 will require those interested in purchasing guns to apply for a five-year permit through the Washington State Patrol.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/20/washingtonians-will-need-state-permit-to-buy-guns-under-new-law/
Update Background Check Laws | Everytown Research & Policy
Updating federal and state laws to require background checks on all gun sales is a common-sense way to keep guns out of the wrong hands and keep our communities safe. That is why: 93% 93 percent of American voters support requiring background checks on all gun sales, including 89 percent of Republicans and 89 percent of gun owners.
https://everytownresearch.org/report/update-background-check-laws/
Update Background Check Laws | Everytown Research & Policy
Updating federal and state laws to require background checks on all gun sales is a common-sense way to keep guns out of the wrong hands and keep our communities safe. That is why: 93% 93 percent of American voters support requiring background checks on all gun sales, including 89 percent of Republicans and 89 percent of gun owners.
https://everytownresearch.org/report/update-background-check-laws/
Public health researcher sees opportunity talks firearm safety legislation in General Assembly
The General Assembly started its 2026 legislative session this week. Several bills related to firearm safety are among the many issues that will be considered in the House of Delegates and State Senate. Joshua Horowitz is a professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who has been following the legislative efforts with a Democratic majority Richmond.
https://www.wmra.org/wmra-news-features-briefs/2026-01-15/public-health-researcher-sees-opportunity-talks-firearm-safety-legislation-in-general-assembly
Public health researcher sees opportunity talks firearm safety legislation in General Assembly
The General Assembly started its 2026 legislative session this week. Several bills related to firearm safety are among the many issues that will be considered in the House of Delegates and State Senate. Joshua Horowitz is a professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who has been following the legislative efforts with a Democratic majority Richmond.
https://www.wmra.org/wmra-news-features-briefs/2026-01-15/public-health-researcher-sees-opportunity-talks-firearm-safety-legislation-in-general-assembly