Universal background checks
Universal background checks refer to laws requiring background checks for all gun purchases, regardless of where the sale occurs—whether through licensed dealers, private sales, or gun shows. The aim is to ensure that individuals prohibited from owning firearms, such as felons or those with serious mental health issues, do not easily obtain guns. This approach seeks to enhance public safety by making it harder for dangerous individuals to acquire firearms while still respecting the rights of responsible gun owners. The checks typically involve checking an individual’s criminal and mental health history through a national database.
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Universal background checks refer to the practice of requiring all gun buyers to undergo a background check, regardless of where they purchase the firearm—whether from a licensed dealer or a private seller. This process aims to ensure that individuals prohibited from owning firearms, such as felons or those with restraining orders, cannot easily obtain guns. By closing loopholes in existing laws, universal background checks seek to enhance public safety while still allowing responsible gun ownership. Advocates believe this measure can help reduce gun violence and improve accountability in firearm sales.