What does registering a gun mean

During the renewal process, owners undergo additional background checks to ensure that they have not fallen into a class prohibited from possessing firearms. The renewal process, therefore, creates an opportunity for law enforcement to remove illegally possessed firearms.

In addition, registration laws help reduce illegal firearm sales and transfers by creating accountability for gun owners. A firearm owner who knows that law enforcement has the ability to trace the firearm back to him or her may be deterred from transferring the firearm to a potentially dangerous individual, and may be encouraged to store his or her firearm safely so as to prevent unauthorized access or theft.

Registration laws are most effective when combined with laws requiring licensing of firearm owners and purchasers. For more information on licensing laws, see our summary on Licensing. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.

The American public strongly supports laws requiring gun registration. There is no comprehensive national system of gun registration. A limited system of federal firearms registration was created by the National Firearms Act, 26 U. The National Firearms Act NFA was enacted in to impose an excise tax and registration requirements on a narrow category of firearms, including machine guns, short-barreled shotguns or rifles, and silencers, and these weapons must also be registered under the NFA.

In , Congress banned the transfer and possession of machine guns not already in lawful circulation. With its provisions effectively limited to pre-ban machine guns and transfers of short-barreled rifles and shotguns that are specifically authorized by the attorney general, the registration system created by the National Firearms Act falls far short of a comprehensive registration system.

Six states and the District of Columbia require registration of some or all firearms. Hawaii and the District of Columbia require the registration of all firearms, California maintains a database of gun transfer records, and New York requires the registration of all handguns through its licensing law. As distinguished from a background check as described above, the registration of firearms is not permitted in Pennsylvania.

In those other states requiring firearms registration, the process usually involves bringing the firearm to the local police station for the purpose of alerting the municipality of its presence in their jurisdiction. This is an additional step that some other states require, and is typically done almost immediately after the ownership transfer and NICS background check. Residents of other states should check their local laws on specific procedures.

Pennsylvania is a good example of this. Nevada State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. New Hampshire State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. New Jersey All assault weapons must be registered.

New Mexico State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. New York All handguns and assault weapons must be registered. North Carolina State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. North Dakota State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. Ohio State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries.

Oklahoma State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. Oregon State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. Pennsylvania Firearms registries are prohibited. Rhode Island Firearms registries are prohibited. South Carolina State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. South Dakota Firearms registries are prohibited. Tennessee State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries.

Texas State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. Utah State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. Vermont Firearms registries are prohibited. Virginia State laws neither require nor prohibit firearms registries. An individual must make an application to register the assault weapon with the Division of State Police or apply to amend a firearm license on or before January 15, Registration means providing personal information, including race and social security information, and a description of the weapon.

If a person unknowingly fails to register his or her weapon by January 15, , law enforcement must give that person a warning, after which time the person will have an additional 30 days to register.