New Bill Funds State Handgun Licensing Programs: Aims to Cut Gun Deaths, Starting 90 Days After Funding

The "Handgun Permit to Purchase Act" greenlights the Attorney General to send federal money to states, local governments, and Indian tribes for setting up or boosting handgun licensing programs. The goal? Make it harder for people who shouldn't have guns to get them, ultimately aiming to reduce gun violence. This isn't some far-off plan – the bill pushes for grants to be awarded within 90 days of funds being appropriated, meaning changes could happen relatively quickly.

Getting a Handle on Handgun Licensing

This bill lays out the ground rules. To get a grant, states need a handgun licensing law that requires buyers to be at least 21, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and to apply in person at a law enforcement agency in their state of residence (SEC. 3). Renewals are required every 5 years or less, and applicants have to pass a background check, including fingerprinting and photos (SEC. 3). Think of it like getting a driver's license, but for handguns. If you're legally banned from owning a gun, you're not getting a license (SEC. 3).

The bill specifically links to existing law, 18 U.S. Code § 922(g), which lists the reasons someone can't legally own a firearm. This includes convicted felons, domestic abusers, and individuals with specific mental health adjudications. By linking the permit process to this existing federal law, the bill aims to create a more robust system for keeping guns out of the wrong hands.

Real-World Rollout: From Paperwork to Practice

So, how might this play out? Imagine a construction worker in a state that adopts this program. Before buying a handgun, they'd need to head to their local law enforcement agency, fill out the application, get fingerprinted, and wait for the background check to clear. If they've got a clean record, they get the license. If not, no sale. The same goes for an office worker, a store manager, or anyone else – the rules apply across the board.

But here's a potential snag. The bill says funds must be used to "improve" handgun licensing (SEC. 3). That's pretty broad. While the intent is clearly to make the process more effective at preventing prohibited individuals from acquiring handguns, "improve" could mean different things to different states. It could mean upgrading computer systems, hiring more staff, or even launching public awareness campaigns. The challenge will be ensuring that the money is actually spent on measures that demonstrably reduce gun violence, and not on something that is ineffective.

Beyond the Purchase: Long-Term Effects

This bill is part of a bigger picture. The bill's findings (SEC. 2) cite studies showing that handgun licensing laws can lead to fewer gun deaths and suicides. It also mentions that states without these laws are often the source of guns used in crimes elsewhere. The idea is that tighter controls in one state can have a ripple effect, making other states safer too. The Supreme Court's 2025 decision not to hear a challenge to Maryland's handgun licensing law is also referenced, suggesting that such laws are on solid legal ground (SEC. 2).

However, the bill's findings also note that repealing these kinds of laws can lead to more gun violence, pointing to Missouri's experience (SEC. 2). This highlights a potential long-term challenge: keeping these programs in place. Political winds shift, and future lawmakers could try to undo these regulations. The effectiveness of this bill hinges not just on getting these programs started, but on making them stick.