The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes for developing, implementing, and evaluating handgun purchaser licensing requirements, ensuring that individuals undergo background checks and meet specific criteria before obtaining a handgun license. This act aims to reduce gun violence by supporting and improving handgun purchaser licensing programs across the country.
Jamie Raskin
Representative
MD-8
The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act aims to reduce gun violence by providing grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to develop, implement, and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing programs. To be eligible for these grants, applicants must have laws requiring individuals to be at least 21 years old, undergo background checks, and reapply for their license or permit every five years. These programs are intended to ensure that individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm do not obtain a handgun purchasing license or permit. The Act authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out this grant program.
New Bill Offers Cash to States for Handgun Licensing Programs: Could Your State Get Safer?
The "Handgun Permit to Purchase Act" is a new bill that aims to cut down on gun violence by pushing states to require licenses for handgun purchases. Basically, it's offering federal money to states, local governments, and Indian tribes that set up or improve systems where anyone buying a handgun needs a permit. The bill lays out some ground rules: You'd need to be 21, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and pass a background check to make sure you're not legally blocked from owning a gun (SEC. 3). These permits would need to be renewed every five years, max (SEC. 3).
Making Sense of the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act
This bill is all about getting states to tighten up who can buy handguns. It’s not a national law requiring permits, but it dangles a carrot—grant money—in front of states that create or enhance their own permit systems. Think of it like this: If your state decides to require handgun permits, the feds will help foot the bill for setting up and running that system. The findings section of the bill (SEC. 2) points to places like Connecticut, where a similar law led to a nearly 28% drop in gun homicides, and Missouri, where removing such a law saw gun homicides jump by over 47%.
Real-World Rollout: How This Could Affect You
If your state takes the bait, getting a handgun would likely involve applying at a local law enforcement agency, submitting fingerprints and photos, and passing a background check to prove you're not on the "no-fly" list for gun ownership (SEC. 3). For someone who's already following the rules, this might seem like an extra step. But for someone living in a neighborhood with high crime, it could mean fewer illegal guns on the street. The bill specifically mentions that in places like Maryland, these laws made it much harder for people with criminal records to get their hands on handguns (SEC. 2).
Potential Downsides and Hurdles
While the bill aims for tighter controls, there are always practical challenges. One potential issue is ensuring grant money is actually spent on improving the licensing process and not diverted elsewhere (SEC. 3). Another is that even with stricter laws, loopholes can exist. The bill is trying to close those gaps by focusing on the point of sale, but determined individuals might still find ways around the system. Also, it’s worth noting that while the bill cites positive results in states with licensing laws, it doesn’t guarantee the same outcomes everywhere. Different states have different dynamics, and what works in one place might not work exactly the same way in another.