WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-5), joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8) reintroduced the Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act. The bill creates a federal grant program to incentivize state and local governments to enact laws requiring individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. According to research conducted by the John Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research in 2015, these laws are statistically proven to reduce firearm homicides and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Another 2020 study published in the American Journal of Public Health confirmed that permit-to-purchase laws are effective in reducing gun violence.

“In Connecticut, we know that commonsense gun reforms like permit-to-purchase laws work. After our state began requiring a license to purchase a gun, there was a 40 percent drop in gun homicides, saving countless lives,” said Murphy. “This bill incentivizes state and local governments to enact similar laws, which will help ensure guns stay out of the hands of criminals or those who fail a background check. The vast majority of Americans support commonsense gun legislation, and with this bill, we can save lives, make our communities safer, and take a big step toward ending the gun violence epidemic.”

“Public health experts estimate that Connecticut’s “permit-to-purchase” law reduced gun homicides by 40 percent in our state. That means that this easy step saved hundreds of lives. All states require licenses to drive a car or hunt or fish – so why not handguns, which can kill? Requiring a license to purchase a deadly weapon is at least as important as requiring one to drive a car,” said Blumenthal. 

“Connecticut is leading the way in implementing legislation that helps to make gun ownership safer. My state’s permit-to-purchase law has saved lives and we need to replicate it on the federal level to bring this commonsense approach to the rest of the country,” said Hayes.

This new grant program would be structured so that to qualify, a state’s permit-to-purchase (PTP) law must require the individual applying for the license is at least 21 years old and go through a law enforcement agency. Applicants would be required to provide fingerprints and photographs to law enforcement, as well as undergo a background check, before receiving the purchasing license.

Connecticut and Maryland are among the 9 states that currently have PTP laws on the books. A 2020 study published in the American Journal of Public Health shows a clear link between requiring a license to purchase a handgun and a significant reduction in firearm homicides and suicides. This research found that Connecticut’s adoption of its handgun purchaser licensing law led to 27.8% overall decrease in the state’s firearm homicide rate and a 32.8% overall decrease in its firearm suicide rate. Missouri’s repeal of its similar law led to a 47.3% increase in firearm homicides and a 23.5% increase in firearm suicides.

The legislation is supported by Brady, Giffords, and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

“State licensing for handguns, including permit to purchase, has long shown to be among the most effective tools to prevent gun violence and especially for stemming the flow of crime guns into communities,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “The Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act is a needed part of this supply-side approach to preventing gun violence, incentivizing states and localities to implement handgun licensing requirements based upon the needs and the realities in their communities. Brady thanks Sen. Van Hollen and Rep. Raskin for introducing this important bill and championing this common-sense approach to preventing gun violence.” 

“Permit-to-purchase systems are proven life-saving policies. These laws are effective means to reduce gun homicides and suicides, as well as enable states to provide guidance for responsible gun ownership. We saw over the last year an unprecedented surge in gun sales with a significant number of people bringing handguns into their home for the first time without any prior firearms safety or storage training. We applaud Senator Van Hollen and Representative Raskin for introducing this legislation. Congress should encourage states to establish licensing systems to ensure people buying handguns are doing so legally and responsibly,” said Lindsay Nichols, Federal Policy Director at Giffords.

"Gun violence is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Research shows firearm licensing laws are among the most effective ways to reduce both firearm homicides and suicides. Creating a federal grant program to incentivize state and local governments to enact handgun purchaser licensing laws will save lives. CSGV thanks Senators Van Hollen, Blumenthal, and Murphy, as well as Representatives Raskin and Hayes for their leadership on this important issue,” said Dakota Jablon, Director of Federal Affairs for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

A one-pager on the bill can be found here. The bill text is available here.

###