When it comes to safe shooting, it’s all about educating yourself. Hopefully you’ve learned the easy way about things like proper storage and transport, maintenance, and using chamber flags to signal your weapon’s status. But how familiar are you with the gun laws where you live?
In this article, we’ll explore the evolution and current state of gun laws in the United States. We’ll also provide tips for staying up to date, so you’re never caught off guard or subject to a penalty.
Federal firearm laws in a nutshell
Here are some of the major federal statutes that have been enacted over the years to regulate the sale, manufacture, trade, possession, and transport of firearms:
National Firearms Act (1934): Taxing machine guns and other Title II weapons
Federal Firearms Act (1938): Required sellers to obtain Federal Firearms License (FFL; restricted transfer of firearms to convicted felons and other classes of people
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (1968): Prohibited interstate handgun trade; increased minimum buying age to 21
Gun Control Act (1968): Limited interstate firearms transfer
Firearm Owners Protection Act (1986): Limited the sale of automatic firearms
Undetectable Firearms Act (1988): Restricted firearms with > 3.7 oz metal content
Gun-Free School Zones Act (1990): Prohibited possession in a school zone
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993): Required background checks
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (2004): Allowed police to carry concealed in any jurisdiction regardless of most state or local laws
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (2005): Protected manufacturers and dealers from liability when crimes are committed with their products
Getting up to speed on state and local gun legislation
There are hundreds of gun laws on the books throughout the U.S., and they can vary dramatically by state and even between regions and municipalities. For example, gun owners in Florida can obtain a license to carry both concealed weapons and firearms, but other states license only the concealed carry of firearms.
In Ohio, no state permit or license is required to possess a handgun, rifle or shotgun, but it is generally unlawful to carry a concealed weapon without proper licensing. The state shares reciprocity agreements with Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan and New Hampshire, as well as limited (permit-only) reciprocity in Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
At the local level, gun laws can become even more complex. Since these laws are constantly evolving, it’s important to maintain at least a working knowledge of what’s happening in the area where you live (or the places you travel frequently). Start by exploring reputable resources from groups like the NRA, which offers an interactive guide to laws by state, as well as top news stories related to gun usage and legislation.
As you dig deeper, visit web pages for your local city, town or municipality. Many of these organizations publish up-to-date firearm laws as well as FAQs for travelers and visitors.
Five essential rules for using guns across state lines
Gun laws are a necessary part of any society. They keep guns and ammunition in the hands of the right people, and they can prevent unnecessary tragedy. But it’s not always easy to know the specific ins and outs of the location where you’re living or traveling.
That’s why we recommend following these six vital rules for transporting and using guns across state lines. Keeping these in mind at all times will not only help to keep you safe, but also help you avoid running into legal problems as you move from place to place with your weapons.
Safety first at all times. It should go without saying that unwanted attention from law enforcement often comes as a result of negligent or unsafe behavior. Following all safety protocols for transporting, cleaning, handling and firing a weapon—just as you would at home—is your best bet for ensuring both safety and peace of mind in your travels.
When in doubt, call ahead. If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for online, your best bet is to get on the horn with someone at the local city building or field office who can tell you exactly which rules apply to the location where you’ll be shooting.
Get your paperwork right. Regardless of how strict or loose the local gun laws, every state in the U.S. requires gun owners to be fully licensed. If your hunting permit has expired, be sure to renew it before going on that interstate hunting trip. If you were previously charged with a felony but are now eligible to carry, you must go through the proper channels to get your status reinstated and documentation validated.
Use common sense. Every responsible gun owner knows, if something doesn’t feel right, that’s probably because it isn’t. Whether it’s a question of selling/shipping a firearm, shooting in a zone where you’re unsure, or anything else, rely on your instincts and common sense to make a good decision.
Be transparent. This relates to the note earlier about avoiding unwanted attention. If for some reason you find yourself answering to law enforcement in an unfamiliar place, communicate clearly and make sure your weaponry and ammunition is visible and accounted for. Cooperating with full transparency will get you a lot further than being evasive or hiding details.
Want to chat more about gun laws and responsible shooting?
Drop us a line.