Since 1994, over 3.5 million gun sales have been blocked to violent criminals and other prohibited people because of a background check. However, federal law requires a background check on a prospective gun buyer only when a seller is a licensed gun dealer, leaving all other sales—such as gun sales between strangers negotiated over the internet or at a gun show—unregulated and with no background check required.
To curb gun violence, Congress has passed four new bills that expand laws surrounding background checks for all forms of gun sales. Before these new bills come to a vote, we invite you to contact your members of Congress to tell them how you feel about reforming background check laws regarding gun purchases.