What will gun control accomplish

The 18 states that currently have the least restrictive combination of these three policies could see the most significant reduction in firearm deaths—11 percent—six or more years after putting the most restrictive combination of these laws into effect. For instance, in Georgia, which currently has the least restrictive combination of these policies, moving to the most restrictive combination is estimated to reduce firearm deaths by 11 percent. For states that have some but not all three restrictions, the potential effect on gun deaths is less pronounced but still important.

For example, by adding restrictions on firearm storage, New York may be able to reduce gun deaths by six percent. Thus, the study does not identify actions these states could take to further reduce gun deaths. However, if these states were to reduce their restrictions on how firearms are stored, then this could result in a six percent increase in gun deaths.

This finding suggests that these states have already prevented annual deaths since implementing their CAP laws. The exclusive focus on firearm deaths introduces the question of whether gun deaths prevented by these restrictions would still occur by other methods. For instance, if firearm restrictions prevent someone from using a gun to commit a homicide, would that person commit that homicide by using a knife instead?

To address this limitation, the researchers modeled the effects of firearm restrictions on total suicides and total homicides, with and without the use of a firearm.

Their analysis shows that the effects of firearm restrictions on homicides and suicides is very similar to the effects on firearm deaths. The research examined changes in state-level child-access prevention CAP laws, stand-your-ground SYG laws, and right to carry RTC laws from to , using data from publicly available sources. We code a state as having a CAP law if the law specifies either civil or criminal penalties for storing a handgun in a manner that allowed access by a minor.

Without such laws, individuals who use deadly force in self-defense may face criminal or civil penalties if they could have avoided the threat by leaving the situation or using non-deadly means of defense.

We code a state as having an RTC law if concealed carry permits are issued whenever legally permissible without the discretion of law enforcement. We use Bayesian methods and a modeling approach that addresses several methodological limitations of prior gun policy evaluations. Bayesian methods allow us to directly estimate the probability that a given law is associated with an increase or a decrease in firearms deaths.

It aims to correct failures in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System that allowed the shooter who killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in to legally buy a gun despite a domestic violence conviction in the Air Force that should have come up in a background check if it had been properly updated.

The bill also would provide more funding to states to improve their background check system and penalize political appointees at federal agencies if they don't take steps to maintain their records. But gun safety groups are much more interested in a second bill that would make more fundamental changes.

Manchin-Toomey, introduced in after the Sandy Hook attack, would have required background checks on online and gun show sales of firearms, closing what critics call the "gun show loophole," while exempting private sales between friends and family.

One study by researchers at Northeastern University and Harvard University estimated that 22 percent of gun sales occur without a background check under the current system. Facing opposition from the NRA, the bill secured 54 votes in , but fell short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Both Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W. The House passed its own version of the bill in December, but it contained a major pro-gun provision that ensures it has no chance in the Senate: Forcing states with stricter gun laws to recognize concealed carry permits from other states.

Democrats also could be wary of passing a background check bill that falls short of Manchin-Toomey. Susan Collins, R-Maine, which would restrict firearm sales to people on a terror watch list while giving them the ability to appeal.

The Senate and House have previously rejected both the Collins bill and related legislation amid concerns from gun rights groups and civil liberties groups like the ACLU , who complained that it would violate due process by using broad watch lists in ways they were not intended. Trump and Florida Gov. Rick Scott have both called for raising the minimum age to buy rifles like those used in the Parkland attack from 18 to 21 years old, where it currently stands for handgun purchases through licensed dealers.

Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.. Almost all of the Democratic candidates support legislation to expand background checks on firearms to cover more sales than under current law.

Currently, federally licensed firearms dealers have to submit a background check on each sale. However, not everyone selling guns legally is a federally licensed dealer, and unlicensed sellers do not have to run background checks on in-state sales.

Gun safety activists argue that too many sales, particularly at gun shows and on the internet, are exempt under the current system. Some candidates also back lengthening the maximum waiting period, currently three days, before a buyer can take possession of a gun if their background check hasn't come back by that time. This is sometimes called the "Charleston loophole," because the shooter in the church attack in Charleston, South Carolina, obtained a gun due to a clerical error in the background check process, which took more than three days to complete.

Another idea gaining momentum among Democrats is requiring buyers to obtain a license before they can purchase firearms at all. Cory Booker, D-N. Many states already have some version of a license or permit for certain firearms purchases, but it was largely dormant as a national issue until this election cycle. If Congress does not pass legislation to expand background checks, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. Almost all of the Democratic candidates also favor a ban on so-called assault weapons, which would include versions of semi-automatic rifles used in a number of mass shootings, and high-capacity magazines.

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