The Legal and Empirical Case for Firearm Purchaser Licensing

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article argues that state government actors concerned about gun violence prevention should prioritize enactment of robust firearm purchaser regimes at the state level. First, the article outlines the empirical evidence base for purchaser licensing. Then, the article describes how state governments can design this policy. Next, the article assesses the likelihood that purchaser licensing legislation will continue to be upheld by federal courts. Finally, the article addresses the implications of this policy, aimed at curbing gun deaths, for equally important racial justice priorities. Taken together, these various considerations indicate that purchaser licensing policies are among the most effective firearm-focused laws state governments can enact to reduce gun deaths within the existing federal legislative and legal frameworks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17-24
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Law, Medicine and Ethics
Volume48
Issue number4_suppl
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Issues, ethics and legal aspects
  • Health Policy

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