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Abstract: 

In recent years, state legislatures have enacted new bills addressing the risks associated with access to firearms. Many of these bills supplement existing laws and policies enacted over the last decade, and aim to clarify gun owners’ obligations, strengthen enforcement, and increase safety for families and the broader community. This article provides an overview of current firearms violence prevention efforts, including a brief discussion of the shortcomings of federal law, and an explanation of recent state laws that have tightened firearm prohibitions and removal/relinquishment procedures, have clarified who is responsible for enforcing compliance with firearms prohibitions and ensuring consequences for noncompliance, and have sought to build essential infrastructure—training mandates, high-risk teams, and formal task forces—to tackle persistent implementation gaps. In addition to her overview of new state legislation, the author also explores practical approaches to implementing these new policies.

Keywords: United States v. Rahimi; California SB 320 and AB 2822; Texas SB 1946; Washington RCW 9.41.801(1); Minnesota Domestic Violence and Firearm Surrender Task Force

Affiliations:  1: Violence Prevention Consultant.