According to the current federal rules, firearms cannot be sold to people who have mental problems, previously convicted for committing crimes, drug addicts and non-citizens of the United States. Pistols can usually be purchased only for people over 21 years of age, guns - after reaching 18 years. When you buy any weapon in the store, the costumer fills out a special questionnaire, where his home address, place of work, etc., is entered, signs a number of documents and in some states leaves a thumbprint of his right hand. The buyer also has to present his documents to the seller, in some states; a special training course is required before buying a weapon.
The federal law establishes that sold weapons must have certain characteristics. Since 1986, the US is prohibited from selling fully automatic weapons. In 1994, another restriction was introduced - fast-rifle stores should not contain more than 10 cartridges.
In 46 states there are no restrictions on the purchase of a number of trunks. Only in four states there is a rule according to which the buyer can purchase one gun per month. In 43 states, the acquisition of weapons does not require the receipt of licenses or registration. In 44 states, the secondary market of weapons is not regulated in any way. In 27 states the buyer is checked not only on the federal database of criminals, but also on the databases of the state itself. 40 states prohibit counties and individual municipalities from enacting laws that tighten or mitigate existing rules of this kind.
In seven US states there are no age limits for the purchase of weapons from private sellers. 18 states do not set a minimum age for possession of firearms. Another 13 states allow guns to teenagers aged 13-16 years. Only in four US states there are laws that establish that personal weapons must be stored in a specially equipped, safe place.
In 2000, the Open Society Institute for the first time compared the "weapons" standards existing in various states of the United States. The hardest legislation could get 100 points. The study showed that the most severe rules are in Massachusetts and Hawaii. Six other states have "moderate" rules. 42 states scored less than 20 points, 20 of them scored less than zero.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 38 US states prohibit the transfer of weapons to the school grounds.
So, the gun control laws are really various though out the country and depend on the state.
According to the current federal rules, firearms cannot be sold to people who have mental problems, previously convicted for committing crimes, drug addicts and non-citizens of the United States. Pistols can usually be purchased only for people over 21 years of age, guns - after reaching 18 years.
