CRIM 100 PSU - Special topics: Gun Policy

Gun Policy

Laws and regulations that govern the ownership

Gun Violence Surge (2021)

Increase in gun-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic

Leading Cause of Death

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States.

Second Amendment

Part of the U.S. Constitution stating that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Gun Rights Interpretation

View that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual and universal right to own guns.

Gun Control Interpretation

View that the Second Amendment allows gun ownership only under strict regulation tied to militia service.

National Rifle Association (NRA)

A powerful gun rights organization founded after the Civil War to promote marksmanship.

NRA Political Shift (1970s)

Period when the NRA began aggressively opposing gun control laws as civil liberty violations.

Background Check Loophole

Gap in federal law allowing private and gun show sales without background checks.

Gun Show Loophole

Legal allowance for firearm purchases without background checks at gun shows or private sales.

State Gun Law Variation

Differences in gun laws across U.S. states

Handguns in Crime

Majority of guns used in U.S. murders are handguns.

Cost of Firearms

Handguns can cost as little as $200

Public Opinion Shift (1975)

Year when majority support for banning handguns flipped to opposition.

Concealed Carry Debate

One of the most divisive gun policy issues among the public.

NRA Lobbying Power

NRA influence through campaign funding

NRA Membership Dues (2022)

$97 million collected

NRA Lobbying Spending (2021)

$4.2 million spent lobbying the federal government.

Pro-Gun vs Gun Control Spending

Gun rights groups outspent gun control groups 5 to 1 in 2021.

National Firearms Act (1934)

Imposed taxes and regulations on certain firearms like machine guns and sawed-off shotguns.

Federal Firearms Act (1938)

Required federal licenses for gun dealers and prohibited felons from purchasing firearms.

United States v. Miller (1939)

Supreme Court ruling supporting regulation of firearms not tied to militia use.

Gun Control Act of 1968

Law passed after assassinations that restricted imports

Firearm Owners Protection Act (1986)

Limited ATF inspections and loosened regulations on gun sales and ammunition.

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993)

Required background checks and created the NICS system.

NICS

National Instant Criminal Background Check System used for firearm purchases.

Assault Weapons Ban (1994)

Temporarily banned assault weapons and high-capacity magazines (now expired).

Tiahrt Amendment (2003)

Restricted public access to firearm tracing data.

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (2005)

Shields gun manufacturers from liability lawsuits.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Supreme Court case establishing an individual right to own firearms.

Collective Rights Theory

Interpretation that gun rights are tied to militia service (from Miller).

Individual Rights Theory

Interpretation that individuals have the right to own guns independent of militia service (from Heller).

Firearms per Capita

The U.S. ranks #1 globally in civilian-owned firearms per person.

Homicide-by-Firearm Rate

Highest among developed nations.

Restrictive Gun Laws

Have lower gun death rates.

Failed Federal Reforms

Attempts like assault weapon bans and expanded background checks often fail in Congress.

Federal Gaps in Law

No national ban on assault weapons

Firearm Safety Training

No federal requirement for safety training to own a gun.

Canada Gun Policy

Includes a 28 day waiting period

Canada 3 Firearm Classes

Nonrestricted, Restricted, Prohibited

Canada Gun Buyback

Required when firearms become prohibited.

Australia Gun Reform (1996)

Major reforms after mass shooting

National Agreement on Firearms (Australia)

Mandated licensing

United Kingdom Gun Laws

Strict bans on handguns and limited firearm access.

Snowdrop Petition

Movement that helped lead to handgun bans in the UK.

Policing by Consent

UK model where police typically do not carry firearms.

Firearm Registration (Global)

93% of countries require civilian firearm registration.

Owner Licensing (Global)

85% of countries require licensing to own firearms.

Unlimited Constitutional Right

Only 2 countries grant an unlimited constitutional right to possess firearms.

U.S. Exception

Only industrialized nation without mandatory firearm registration.