In this fact sheet series, the Center for American Progress will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about key policy issues related to gun violence prevention. With an average of 106 people killed with a gun every day and thousands more suffering the lifelong impact of gun violence, it is more urgent than ever for policymakers to take action to address this public health epidemic.
Permitless carry poses a danger to public safety by allowing individuals to carry concealed, loaded guns in public with no permit or training.
Firearms must be subject to the same federal safety requirements as other consumer products.
U.S. firearms are trafficked with alarming frequency, increasing violence in the United States and across international borders.
Safe storage practices can help to keep children safe, deter gun theft, and avoid preventable gun-related deaths and injuries.
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act prevents the gun industry from being held accountable for harm caused and disincentivizes the industry from ensuring consumer safety.
Serious gaps in federal law allow loopholes for some domestic violence abusers to access firearms, intensifying harm in moments that are already dangerous for survivors.
Homemade firearms that can be procured without a background check and do not have serial numbers, known as ghost guns, pose unique risks to community safety.
A dangerous gap in federal law allows gun dealers to proceed with a sale before a background check has been completed—enabling people who are otherwise prohibited from gun possession to continue to buy guns.
Extreme risk protection orders provide a much-needed remedy to temporarily remove firearms during a period of temporary crisis.
Assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines are weapons of war that have no place in America’s communities and should be banned.
Universal background checks are a crucial foundation for a strong system of gun safety laws that will help reduce gun violence and save lives.