The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution has long protected Americans from a federal gun ban against citizens. However, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,” has many restrictions in this country.
While states have a variety of state-to-state gun laws, many have “right to bear arms” written into their constitutions. There are also extensive federal laws governing the use and sale of firearms.
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
The Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide outlines 243 pages of regulations that restrict the national right to bear arms.
These regulations do not constitute a national gun ban, but here are 7 of the laws it contains:
1. People with criminal backgrounds often are not allowed to have guns, including felons and people awaiting trial on charges, non-citizens (both legal and illegal), drug users, and people who have restraining orders against them or have been convicted of domestic violence.
2.
Gun sellers have to be licensed. It is not legal for someone to sell guns who has been convicted of any crime that required more than one year in prison, has a drug history, has been committed to a mental institution, been dishonorably discharged from the military, renounced U.S. citizenship, is under a restraining order, or has been convicted of domestic violence.
3. You have to pass a background check to buy a gun. The National Instant Background Check System is a provision of the Brady Handgun Control Law. This law is used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to check the criminal background of a person purchasing a gun.
VOTE NOW: Should All Fully Automatic Rifles Be Banned?
4. There is a
gun ban against certain firearms, including sawed-off rifles and shotguns, fully automatic weapons, silencers and guns without serial numbers. There are exceptions for some guns, but they have to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, D. C.
5. You cannot give a gun to anyone who is not legal to have one. If you do, you could go to prison for up to 10 years.
6. Guns are not allowed in school zones except by people with special authorization: If you live in a school zone, are planning to use it as a part of an educational program, or are a law-enforcement officer, guns may be allowed with certain restrictions.
7. Kids cannot own handguns. Anyone who sells a handgun to a child or hand-gun only ammunition to a person younger than 18 years of age can go to prison.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws of your state and destination before travel.
URGENT: Do You Support President Obama’s Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.