WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) this week reintroduced the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act, legislation to incentivize state and local governments to implement permit to purchase laws that require individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act creates a federal grant program to incentivize state and local governments to enact laws requiring individuals to obtain a license from law enforcement before purchasing a handgun. Licensing, or permit-to-purchase (PTP) laws, are effective, common-sense ways policies to reduce gun violence. 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. While details of these laws may vary, a grant recipient’s PTP law must, at a minimum, require prospective handgun owners to: apply for a permit from a state-designated law enforcement agency;  submit to a background check to ensure they are not barred by federal law from possessing firearms; and be 21 or older. The PTP law must also require licensed individuals to renew their handgun permits within five years. Maryland and Connecticut are among the 11 states (plus the District of Columbia) that currently have PTP laws on the books.

“After Connecticut passed its permit-to-purchase law, we saw a massive drop in gun homicides. Requiring a license to buy a handgun will keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and save lives, and this legislation will incentivize more states to follow Connecticut’s lead,” said Murphy.

“Requiring a license to purchase a handgun is a common sense measure proven to save lives. As seen by Connecticut’s drop in gun homicides following our ‘permit-to-purchase’ law, these standards are successful in keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. This legislation is a public health investment – protecting communities shattered by our gun violence epidemic,” said Blumenthal.

“Persistent gun violence in the United States is an epidemic that must be addressed at every level. We must invest in common-sense solutions to make our communities safer. In Connecticut, we have seen firsthand how licensing laws have reduced gun violence; however, one state cannot end this crisis alone,” said Hayes. “I join Rep. Raskin and Sens. Van Hollen, Murphy and Blumenthal in providing grant opportunities for state and local governments to implement permit-to-purchase laws that will protect people across the country.” 

The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act is supported by Brady, Giffords, March for Our Lives.

“State licensing for handguns, including permit to purchase, has long shown to be among the most effective tools to prevent gun violence by keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act will incentivize and assist state and local governments in enacting these life-saving requirements for gun purchases tailored to the needs of their community,” said Brady President Kris Brown.

“As our nation once again reels from multiple mass shootings and continued incidents of community violence, it is imperative that our elected leaders take swift action to address the gun violence crisis. The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act would help states create permit-to-purchase systems for handguns, which are known to help reduce gun homicides and suicides as well as give states the opportunity to provide guidance for responsible gun ownership. We applaud Senator Van Hollen for advancing these common sense measures to protect public safety and thank him for his steadfast commitment to end gun violence,” said Adzi Vokhiwa, Giffords Federal Affairs Director.

“The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act is also another grim reminder that our country needs stronger standards for gun ownership. If you need a license to drive a car, we believe there should be no question that you should need one to purchase a handgun. March For Our Lives is proud to support both of these pieces of legislation, and thank Senator Van Hollen for believing that the American people deserve accountability for the harm caused by the gun industry, and basic standards for gun ownership,” said Elena Perez, Senior Policy Associate at March for Our Lives. 

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