Policies

Our goal was to create a research-backed package of policies, supported by non-gun owners AND gun owners, that works holistically to meaningfully reduce gun-related deaths -- while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Our Policy Roadmap

What follows is a limited package of policies that work holistically to reduce gun-related deaths. Each policy is not a stand-alone, but rather all are required in order to effectively implement a system that will accomplish our goals.

Make sure violent criminals can’t access guns.

1

  • Set violent misdemeanor crimes as the threshold for exclusion from gun purchase and possession.

Create a mechanism to assess if someone is a violent criminal, prior to purchasing a gun.

2

  • Implement gun permit laws at the state level, in conjunction with background checks.

  • Ensure background checks, at the state and federal level, are part of the gun permitting process.

Ensure those at high risk of committing violence in the immediate future cannot access a gun.

3

  • Implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), commonly known as red flag laws, at the state level.

 What We Support

  • Closes the current loophole in federal and state law that allows convicted violent criminals to purchase and possess guns as long as their crime wasn’t prosecuted as a felony.

    Creates a new standard at the federal and state level that would disallow gun possession for people who are convicted of violent misdemeanors or felonies.

    Violent misdemeanors are crimes of violence that do not rise to the level of a felony, or weren’t prosecuted as a felony.

  • The current felony threshold for excluding someone from gun ownership does not capture many violent crimes including, but not limited to, assault, battery, stalking, cyberstalking, and threats of violence – whether in-person or on social media.

    Because being convicted of a violent misdemeanor does not prohibit a person from owning a gun according to current federal law, many states have cited their "may issue" laws as a way to screen concealed carry applicants for violent misdemeanors. The Supreme Court’s Bruen decision will likely cause these laws to be struck down, and there will be no mechanism in place to prevent violent criminals who have been convicted of violent misdemeanor crimes from not only possessing guns, but also from carrying them in a concealed manner.

  • As of today, only 15 states and the District of Columbia have violent misdemeanor laws.

  • Research suggests that violent misdemeanor laws are very effective in preventing firearm homicide. Our research estimated that these laws may reduce overall firearm-related homicide rates by as much as 19%.

  • Would disqualify people for a period of 10 years.

  • Along with gun permit laws and background checks, this would eliminate the need for subjective and potentially discriminatory “may carry” laws.

Violent Misdemeanor Laws

Set violent misdemeanor crimes as the threshold for exclusion from gun purchase and possession.

State Level Gun Permit Laws

Implement gun permit laws at the state level, in conjunction with background checks.

  • States would require a state-issued permit in order to purchase and possess a gun.

    To be most effective, two permits would be issued: one is a general permit that allows gun purchase and possession, and the second would be a concealed carry permit. Both permits could be issued at the same time.

  • Creates a mechanism by which states and local authorities can verify if an individual has committed a violent crime (whether misdemeanor or felony) before accessing a gun (in combination with Policy #3 Background Checks.)

  • Only 12 states require a permit to purchase a firearm.

  • Research estimates that permitting laws may reduce overall firearm-related homicide rates by as much as 9.6%.

  • Would include state and local background checks with a violent misdemeanor threshold for possession.

    Would require gun safety training.

    Would ensure concealed carry permits require additional live shooting training.

    Would require gun dealers to verify permits.

    Permits would be valid for 5 years and would be invalidated if someone is convicted of a violent misdemeanor (or felony) crime.

    Permits would be inexpensive and easy to complete (online.)

    Permits would not record type or number of guns purchased, and thus, wouldn’t lead to creation of firearm registry (a major concern of gun owners.)

  • Would eliminate the need for background checks with valid permits (current federal laws waive point-of-purchase background checks in states with gun permits).

    Would eliminate the need for potentially discriminatory “may issue” laws. Law enforcement would not need to have discretion in approving permits. The decision would be based solely on whether a person has a history of violence.

    Would open the door to concealed carry permit reciprocity between states that have permitting systems in place.

State Level Background Checks

Ensure background checks, at the state and federal level, are part of the gun permitting process.

  • Federal and state background checks would be required as part of the gun permitting process.

  • Background checks are an integral part of verifying if a potential permit holder has been convicted of a violent misdemeanor or felony crime.

  • Only 15 states currently search state and local records as part of background checks.

    (Note: 15 states are full Point of Contact states and 4 states are partial, per the ATF, as of Sept. 30, 2024.)

  • Research has demonstrated that background checks, conducted at the state level, in concert with a robust gun permitting system, are one of the most effective policies to reduce firearm homicides.

  • Background checks must be conducted at both the state and federal levels. Federal background checks alone do not contain the requisite data to determine if someone has been convicted of a violent misdemeanor, including domestic violence crimes.

  • Gun owners would not need a new background check each time they purchased a gun, provided they held a valid gun permit.

    Gun sales or transfers between family members would not require a NICS check or a state background check, as long as the person receiving the gun has a valid gun permit.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)

Implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), commonly known as red flag laws, at the state level.

  • Family members or law enforcement officials can petition a court to remove firearms from a person who is a threat to themselves or others.

  • Provides a mechanism that prevents those at risk of committing near-term violence to themselves or others from accessing or using their gun.

  • Only 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands have ERPOs. Only 18 of those states and the District of Columbia allow family members to petition for a protective order.

  • ERPOs are the only laws that have demonstrated a reduction in suicide rates. According to research, they could reduce firearm related suicide rates by ~6.7% (an estimated 1,800 people alone in 2021). They’ve also demonstrated efficacy against mass shootings and domestic violence.

  • Would include due process procedures, including the right to a timely court hearing and procedures for the expeditious return of firearms once the order expires.

    Would penalize people for vindictively using ERPOs against a gun owner.

    Must include state-funded mental health examinations.

  • Establishes a procedure that ensures lawful gun owners aren’t deprived of their due process.