Legal Definitions - gun-control law

A gun-control law is a rule or law that regulates the sale, possession, or use of firearms. These laws can vary from state to state and city to city. The federal government also has laws that restrict and regulate the illegal sale, possession, and use of firearms.

• A state law that requires a waiting period before purchasing a firearm
• A city ordinance that bans the possession of certain types of firearms
• The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which established a national system for quickly checking the background of a prospective handgun purchaser

These examples illustrate how gun-control laws can take different forms and be implemented at different levels of government. They are designed to promote public safety by reducing the number of firearms in circulation and preventing dangerous individuals from obtaining them.