Regulation of Firearm Dealers in the United States: An Analysis of State Law and Opportunities for Improvement

Author: Vernick, Jon S. / Webster, Daniel W. / Bulzacchelli, Maria T. / Mair, Julie S.
Publication: Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Legislation and Policy State Supply Surveillance/Data Collection
Keywords: FIREARMS -- Law & legislation FIREARMS industry & trade LICENSES Law Enforcement UNITED States
Bibliographic information +

The authors identified and categorized state licensing systems for firearms dealers through the end of 2004 legislative sessions in order to highlight opportunities for states to prevent problem dealers from supplying guns to criminals, juveniles, or gun traffickers. Analysis of seven categories revealed that only 17 states require firearm dealers to obtain a license, and 6 states requiring a dealer’s license impose conditions to obtain the license. Just over half of the states (26) require dealers to keep gun sales records. Nearly half of the states (23) explicitly permit police inspection of gun dealers. Only 6 states require that thefts of inventory from gun stores be reported to local authorities, though this is also required by federal law.