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Gun Dealer Reform

Solutions

Gun Dealer Reform

What does it solve?

Laws on how gun stores conduct their business have not been strengthened since the 1960s. Congress should pass comprehensive gun dealer reform.

Gun dealer reform should include requiring updated best practices for store security, record keeping, training, and ensuring that gun dealers who violate the law and endanger public safety can be swiftly held accountable. In addition, the federal agency that regulates gun dealers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), needs the resources and authority to protect the public.

Dealer License Required

Which states require all gun dealers to get a state-issued license?

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

Dealer License Required

Alabama has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Alaska has not adopted this policy

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Arizona has not adopted this policy

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Arkansas has not adopted this policy

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California has adopted this policy

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Colorado has not adopted this policy

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Connecticut has adopted this policy

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Delaware has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Florida has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Georgia has not adopted this policy

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Hawaii has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Idaho has not adopted this policy

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Illinois has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Indiana has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Iowa has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Kansas has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Kentucky has not adopted this policy

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Louisiana has not adopted this policy

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Maine has not adopted this policy

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Maryland has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Massachusetts has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Michigan has not adopted this policy

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Minnesota has not adopted this policy

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Mississippi has not adopted this policy

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Missouri has not adopted this policy

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Montana has not adopted this policy

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Nebraska has not adopted this policy

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Nevada has not adopted this policy

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New Hampshire has adopted this policy

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New Jersey has adopted this policy

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New Mexico has not adopted this policy

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New York has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

North Carolina has not adopted this policy

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North Dakota has not adopted this policy

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Ohio has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Oklahoma has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Oregon has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Pennsylvania has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Rhode Island has adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

South Carolina has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

South Dakota has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Tennessee has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Texas has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Utah has not adopted this policy

Dealer License Required

Vermont has not adopted this policy

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Virginia has not adopted this policy

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Washington has adopted this policy

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West Virginia has not adopted this policy

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Wisconsin has not adopted this policy

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Wyoming has not adopted this policy

Myth & Fact

Myth

There is nothing a gun dealer can do to stop a criminal from getting a gun.

Fact

Laws requiring record keeping, videotaping and store security, and regular inspection can help make sure gun dealers are not susceptible to straw purchasers or gun traffickers. Intrastate gun trafficking was 64% lower in places with strong gun dealer regulations and oversight.

How it works

Comprehensive gun dealer reform would help stop guns from getting into the wrong hands.

Gun dealers can stop firearms from getting into the wrong hands. They can do this with best practices in selling firearms and securing stores. Common-sense laws can ensure that all gun dealers are protecting the public and that gun dealers that ignore the law can be held accountable.

There are nearly 78,000 gun dealers in the United States, more than the number of McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and Wendy’s locations in the country combined. The laws regulating these sellers are outdated. The ATF—the federal agency responsible for regulating gun dealers—is under-resourced and hampered by restrictions written by the gun lobby.

As a result of these restrictions and shortage of resources, only a small number of gun sellers are inspected each year. In fiscal year 2020, ATF inspectors found violations in just under half of inspections.1ATF, “Firearms Compliance Inspection Results FY 2020,” last reviewed May 9, 2023, https://bit.ly/3VWJtP8. These violations range from the failure to keep full and accurate inventory and failing to complete the required forms necessary for crime gun tracing, to a failure to conduct background checks. Additionally, gun dealers must be required to use security practices that will ensure they are not susceptible to theft.

By the numbers

Victories

You might be wondering…

  1. 1 Are most gun dealers law-abiding?