Background Checks

Gun Background Checks Surged to New High in June

Background Checks

Gun Background Checks Surged to New High in June

The FBI ran 3.9 million screenings last month, topping the previous record for the second time this year.

Daniel Nass
He Came Armed With King Cakes

How We Fix This

He Came Armed With King Cakes

The gun background check system is only as good as the records it contains. How one affable bureaucrat helped Louisiana set the standard for flagging people banned from owning firearms.

Ann Givens
A Bipartisan Bill Targets Would-Be Gun Buyers Who ‘Lie And Try’ on Background Checks

Background Checks

A Bipartisan Bill Targets Would-Be Gun Buyers Who ‘Lie And Try’ on Background Checks

The FBI is currently under no obligation to notify the local law enforcement agencies best suited to quickly investigate prohibited firearm purchases.

Alex Yablon
Your All-in-One Guide to Gun Background Checks

Background Checks

Your All-in-One Guide to Gun Background Checks

As Congress weighs gun reforms, here’s what to know about the current system — and the loopholes new laws might close.

Jennifer Mascia
The NRA Opposes a California Gun Regulation It Accidentally Inspired

Background Checks

The NRA Opposes a California Gun Regulation It Accidentally Inspired

Last month, the National Rifle Association rallied its members against a new California regulation compelling gun and ammo buyers who lack the state’s new REAL ID to present a birth certificate or a passport when going through a background…

Alex Yablon
Illinois Lawmakers Want to Fingerprint Gun Buyers

Background Checks

Illinois Lawmakers Want to Fingerprint Gun Buyers

The legislative push comes in response to the Aurora mass shooting that exposed a loophole which could be arming scores of high-risk people.

Brian Freskos
What We Know About the Effectiveness of Universal Gun Background Checks

Background Checks

What We Know About the Effectiveness of Universal Gun Background Checks

Examining the research on the policy Democrats hope to push through Congress.

Alex Yablon
FBI to Add Major Law Enforcement Database to Gun Background Check System

Background Checks

FBI to Add Major Law Enforcement Database to Gun Background Check System

The bureau is getting ready to tap National Data Exchange and its 400 million records to help screen gun buyers. Experts say it would have blocked the Charleston church shooter from obtaining his murder weapon.

Ann Givens and Andrew Knapp
Inside One State’s Effort to Report More Mental Health Records to the Gun Background Check System

How We Fix This

Inside One State’s Effort to Report More Mental Health Records to the Gun Background Check System

Prompted by a 2007 law, an administrator at the Iowa Department of Public Safety personally oversaw the review of 125,000 state mental health case files to figure out who should be prohibited from owning guns.

Ann Givens
The Gun Background Check System Is Overburdened and Understaffed, DOJ Budget Request Shows

Background Checks

The Gun Background Check System Is Overburdened and Understaffed, DOJ Budget Request Shows

Experts say the shortage leaves NICS vulnerable to mistakes and workers at risk of burnout.

Ann Givens
Florida Gun Bill Omits Fix For ‘Lie-and-Try’ Loophole

Background Checks

Florida Gun Bill Omits Fix For ‘Lie-and-Try’ Loophole

On Thursday night, the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature responded to widespread calls for action after the Parkland mass shooting by passing the state’s first significant gun bill in two decades. The legislation was the product of intense debate by members…

Daniel Nass and Katie LaGrone
The Florida Loophole That Lets Thousands of People Banned From Guns Get Away With Lying on Background Checks

Background Checks

The Florida Loophole That Lets Thousands of People Banned From Guns Get Away With Lying on Background Checks

A bill to give the state a tool to crack down on "lie-and-try" gun buyers awaits action from lawmakers.

Daniel Nass and Katie LaGrone
How the Fix NICS Act Could Strengthen the Gun Background Check System

Background Checks

How the Fix NICS Act Could Strengthen the Gun Background Check System

After a weekend of protests and vigils following the massacre at a Florida high school that left 17 dead, President Donald Trump signaled support on Monday for bipartisan legislation aimed at improving records reporting to the federal gun background…

Ann Givens
How California Took Action to Address a Risky Change to Gun Background Checks

Background Checks

How California Took Action to Address a Risky Change to Gun Background Checks

A new "fugitive from justice" definition has increased the odds that some violent criminals will be able to buy a firearm, experts say.

Ann Givens
Murder Suspect Who Sought Gun Shows Risk of New Rule for Fugitives and Background Checks

Background Checks

Murder Suspect Who Sought Gun Shows Risk of New Rule for Fugitives and Background Checks

Experts have been warning since the Department of Justice changed its gun background check policy earlier this year that dangerous criminals would have a better chance of purchasing guns legally. A case out of Arizona, they say, validates their concerns.

Ann Givens

Background Checks

Gun Background Checks Surged to New High in June

He Came Armed With King Cakes

A Bipartisan Bill Targets Would-Be Gun Buyers Who ‘Lie And Try’ on Background Checks

Your All-in-One Guide to Gun Background Checks

The NRA Opposes a California Gun Regulation It Accidentally Inspired

Illinois Lawmakers Want to Fingerprint Gun Buyers

What We Know About the Effectiveness of Universal Gun Background Checks

FBI to Add Major Law Enforcement Database to Gun Background Check System

Inside One State’s Effort to Report More Mental Health Records to the Gun Background Check System

The Gun Background Check System Is Overburdened and Understaffed, DOJ Budget Request Shows

Florida Gun Bill Omits Fix For ‘Lie-and-Try’ Loophole

The Florida Loophole That Lets Thousands of People Banned From Guns Get Away With Lying on Background Checks

How the Fix NICS Act Could Strengthen the Gun Background Check System

How California Took Action to Address a Risky Change to Gun Background Checks

Murder Suspect Who Sought Gun Shows Risk of New Rule for Fugitives and Background Checks