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What is the difference between federal and state gun laws? Why do I need to understand both?
In these pages, we refer to two types of gun laws:
- Federal gun laws apply to all U.S. states and territories.
- State gun laws can be different for every state or territory.
The major differences between these two types of laws are:
- who makes the law;
- who prosecutes someone who breaks the law; and
- what the punishment is for breaking the law.
It’s important to know about both types of gun laws so you can understand all of the reasons why it could be illegal for an abuser to have a firearm. This can help you protect yourself. In this section, we will mostly discuss your state’s gun laws. However, read our Federal Gun Laws pages to see if any federal laws also apply to your situation.
To learn more about reporting a violation of state or federal gun laws, go to Who do I notify if I think the abuser should not have a gun?
