Laws & Policies

Welcome to our in-depth summaries of federal, state and local firearms laws and policies – the most comprehensive compilation of information on U.S. firearms regulation in either print or electronic form. Links to legislative provisions and judicial decisions are provided where available.

Firearms Policies and Terms

Summaries of gun violence prevention policies outlining approaches adopted at the federal, state and local levels. Learn more about firearms policies and terms.

Second Amendment

Overview of Second Amendment doctrine, plus summaries of over 200 federal and state appellate cases rejecting Second Amendment challenges, answers to frequently asked questions, and other materials. Learn more about the Second Amendment.

Federal Laws

Summaries of federal constitutional provisions and statutes relating to firearms. Learn more about federal firearms laws.

State and Local Laws

Summaries of firearms laws in every state (and local ordinances in some states), accessed through a clickable map of the United States. Learn more about state and local firearms laws.