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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-news-blog/2013/jan/16/gun-laws-need-to-know
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| Gun laws in the US: seven things you need to know about the data | Gun laws in the US: seven things you need to know about the data |
| (25 days later) | |
| When you first encounter this interactive, it's perhaps best to know that our key finding was that gun regulation from state to state is not one-size-fits-all. | When you first encounter this interactive, it's perhaps best to know that our key finding was that gun regulation from state to state is not one-size-fits-all. |
| Trying to create "buckets" to classify regulations broadly among the states is a challenge because most states have not enacted comprehensive legislation. In fact, it's common to find that states regulate one area of gun control in a very isolated way. For example, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania have enacted universal background checks for prospective gun owners, which also apply to sales at gun shows. However, other states, like Virginia, have imposed other administrative requirements – many of which emphasize record-keeping over regulation – that also pertain to gun shows. | Trying to create "buckets" to classify regulations broadly among the states is a challenge because most states have not enacted comprehensive legislation. In fact, it's common to find that states regulate one area of gun control in a very isolated way. For example, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania have enacted universal background checks for prospective gun owners, which also apply to sales at gun shows. However, other states, like Virginia, have imposed other administrative requirements – many of which emphasize record-keeping over regulation – that also pertain to gun shows. |
| A key point about the "blue" regulation areas used to highlight gun regulations in this interactive: the law specifically regulated gun rights in those states; however, if a state's regulation area is colored "grey", we can't necessarily make the assumption that there are absolutely no gun restrictions in that locale. | A key point about the "blue" regulation areas used to highlight gun regulations in this interactive: the law specifically regulated gun rights in those states; however, if a state's regulation area is colored "grey", we can't necessarily make the assumption that there are absolutely no gun restrictions in that locale. |
| Below are other key findings we encountered while wrangling the data for this interactive: | Below are other key findings we encountered while wrangling the data for this interactive: |
| Colorado stands out | Colorado stands out |
| In 2012 in the post-Virginia Tech era, a Colorado supreme court ruling allowed students and faculty to carry concealed guns on campus by overturning the gun ban at Colorado University. The concealed carry law permits carrying a gun in public except for K-12 schools but does not explicitly include college campuses. | In 2012 in the post-Virginia Tech era, a Colorado supreme court ruling allowed students and faculty to carry concealed guns on campus by overturning the gun ban at Colorado University. The concealed carry law permits carrying a gun in public except for K-12 schools but does not explicitly include college campuses. |
| Background check "loopholes" exist | Background check "loopholes" exist |
| Many states require background checks as part of the permit or licensing process, but a person could become ineligible between the time the state issues the permit or license and the sale of the firearm. Furthermore, some states do not have a formal process of revoking licenses or permits once a person becomes ineligible. Also, transactions between private sellers have fewer regulations and make it possible in some states for a sale to occur without the buyer having to undergo a background check. | Many states require background checks as part of the permit or licensing process, but a person could become ineligible between the time the state issues the permit or license and the sale of the firearm. Furthermore, some states do not have a formal process of revoking licenses or permits once a person becomes ineligible. Also, transactions between private sellers have fewer regulations and make it possible in some states for a sale to occur without the buyer having to undergo a background check. |
| Most states do not require reporting missing firearms | Most states do not require reporting missing firearms |
| Most states do not require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms. In 2010, a law was passed in Nebraska that only suggests that permit holders notify local authorities if a firearms goes missing, but not under law. | Most states do not require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms. In 2010, a law was passed in Nebraska that only suggests that permit holders notify local authorities if a firearms goes missing, but not under law. |
| Concealed carry laws are where states are the most alike | Concealed carry laws are where states are the most alike |
| There are three tiers of regulation that allow public citizens to carry a concealed handgun. The most frequent case, a shall-issue state, will issue a permit to anyone who applies for a permit, meets a general set of requirements and passes a background check. The less frequent case, a may-issue state, extends the same requirements but allows local authorities to use discretion when granting a permit. Lastly, a select few states do not require a permit at all to carry a concealed handgun in public. | There are three tiers of regulation that allow public citizens to carry a concealed handgun. The most frequent case, a shall-issue state, will issue a permit to anyone who applies for a permit, meets a general set of requirements and passes a background check. The less frequent case, a may-issue state, extends the same requirements but allows local authorities to use discretion when granting a permit. Lastly, a select few states do not require a permit at all to carry a concealed handgun in public. |
| Many gun laws are subject to local discretion | Many gun laws are subject to local discretion |
| Laws in many states reiterate the federal law, and a few have added subtle layers of regulation affecting some aspects of the second amendment; however, the final say is often handed down to the local level. In more than 20 states, college administrators make the final decision whether to prohibit firearms, and in other instances venues must most explicitly if guns are banned. | Laws in many states reiterate the federal law, and a few have added subtle layers of regulation affecting some aspects of the second amendment; however, the final say is often handed down to the local level. In more than 20 states, college administrators make the final decision whether to prohibit firearms, and in other instances venues must most explicitly if guns are banned. |
| Gun regulation can be incredibly specific | Gun regulation can be incredibly specific |
| The attention to detail in gun regulation is both incredibly specific while at the same time creating regulation that isn't fully comprehensive. Several states in the northwest, mid-west and south-east generally prohibit firearms where alcohol is served, but then include caveats that allow firearms when a specific percentage of income of the establishment goes to business not related to alcohol. | The attention to detail in gun regulation is both incredibly specific while at the same time creating regulation that isn't fully comprehensive. Several states in the northwest, mid-west and south-east generally prohibit firearms where alcohol is served, but then include caveats that allow firearms when a specific percentage of income of the establishment goes to business not related to alcohol. |
| Some states prohibit registration of firearms | Some states prohibit registration of firearms |
| Laws in states including Idaho and Alaska prohibit authorities from registering firearms or enforcing any local ordinance that regulates the registration of firearms. Advocates of gun regulation say that such registration when combined with owner licensing or permitting provides the strongest means to track the possession and ownership of firearms. | Laws in states including Idaho and Alaska prohibit authorities from registering firearms or enforcing any local ordinance that regulates the registration of firearms. Advocates of gun regulation say that such registration when combined with owner licensing or permitting provides the strongest means to track the possession and ownership of firearms. |
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