| Although this is controversial, background checks | | | | background check at only the federal level, which |
| do help control the sales of guns. There are many | | | | may seem to make it easier for their residents to |
| people who believe that guns should be purchased | | | | obtain a gun. However, these states also require a |
| without a background check. But this law is to | | | | permit. These states are Massachusetts, |
| protect people and when followed correctly, | | | | Minnesota, and Missouri. |
| allows honest and law abiding citizens the right to | | | | In addition, there are states that require both a |
| purchase a gun. | | | | federal and state check. These states include |
| The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, also | | | | Connecticut, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, |
| known as the Brady Bill, was passed in 1994. This | | | | Hawaii, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, |
| law states that every state must perform a | | | | Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and |
| background check before granting ownership of a | | | | Virginia. |
| firearm. This depth of the necessary background | | | | Then there are the states that only do a NICS |
| check varies from state to state. Some states | | | | check. Those states are Alabama, Alaska, |
| abide only by the mandatory background check | | | | Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, |
| minimum; this is known as a National Instant | | | | Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, |
| Check System (NICS). Some states also choose | | | | North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, |
| to do background checks at the state level, which | | | | South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West |
| provides more information than the NICS. | | | | Virginia, and Wyoming. |
| Furthermore, some states even require a permit | | | | There is a mini loophole though. The law only |
| or waiting period before selling the gun. | | | | requires licensed hand gun sellers to require |
| This law was not made to keep people from their | | | | background checks; whereas those who are not |
| right of the Second Amendment; instead, it | | | | licensed can sell all kinds of firearms without |
| protects people from the danger of those who | | | | asking a single question. This is dangerous because |
| only want guns to hurt people. This is an | | | | it means that anyone can skip over the law and |
| important fact to remember since so many | | | | buy a gun without a past history check. |
| people will want to possess a gun and while they | | | | Overall, the Brady Bill has proved to be successful |
| may get frustrated with the waiting process or | | | | in that it protects people everyday. Although it |
| their "invasion" of privacy; this law is intended to | | | | may seem like a hassle, remember, this act does |
| protect everyone. | | | | not take away from your rights; instead it |
| Some states that opt for the less invasive | | | | solidifies them, while protecting you. |