Lawmakers this week are reintroducing federal legislation that would require background checks on nearly all gun purchases — what they call “universal background checks.” But what are universal background checks? Let’s take a look at what they would — and would not — entail.
What’s Required Now
Generally speaking, federally-licensed firearms dealers — like pawn shops, gun stores and retailers such as Walmart — are required by law to run a background check before selling a firearm.
That often involves the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which handles all background checks for 29 states. Other states use their own background check system or a combination of the two, usually relying on the FBI for rifles and shotguns while running handgun purchases through the state system.
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