Updated 9:13 PM ET April 13, 2000 http://news.excite.com/news/r/000413/21/health-psa
NEW YORK, Apr 13 (Reuters Health) -- US gun control laws vary widely among states, with most states failing to meet
"minimum standards for public safety," according to a report released by a nonprofit research institute.
In a study of state gun laws, researchers found that 42 states lack "basic" requirements such as licensing and gun
registration, and 31 have no waiting periods for buying a handgun. The study was conducted by the Open Society Institute,
a foundation established by the financier George Soros.
After reviewing gun statutes and interviewing state officials, the investigators found that only Massachusetts requires both
registration and licensing for all types of guns. Forty-three states allow people to buy assault weapons without registering
the guns or obtaining a license. These findings are key, according to the report, because registration and licensing are the
only way to track compliance with other gun laws, such as the federal law that domestic violence offenders may not own
guns.
The foundation also cites a number of states that have "virtually no firearm laws of their own" and even undermine federal
gun laws. These states include: Maine, Louisiana, Alaska, Texas, Montana, Kentucky, Vermont, North Dakota, Georgia, and
Arkansas. Only two states -- California and Connecticut -- have banned the private sale of assault weapons.
Eighteen states have no minimum age for shotgun possession, and six have no minimum age for possessing a handgun.
While federal law stipulates that no one younger than 18 may possess a handgun, the foundation reports that it found
officials enforce state laws rather than the more rigorous federal regulations. Further, according to the report, federal laws
generally apply only to licensed gun dealers, leaving private sellers, pawn shops, and gun shows largely unregulated.
"A common refrain heard in the gun control debate is that state and federal governments should simply enforce the current
laws instead of generating more," the foundation notes. "This report reveals the limited scope of the existing laws."
NEW YORK, Apr 13 (Reuters Health) -- US gun control laws vary widely among states, with most states failing to meet
"minimum standards for public safety," according to a report released by a nonprofit research institute.
In a study of state gun laws, researchers found that 42 states lack "basic" requirements such as licensing and gun
registration, and 31 have no waiting periods for buying a handgun. The study was conducted by the Open Society Institute,
a foundation established by the financier George Soros.
After reviewing gun statutes and interviewing state officials, the investigators found that only Massachusetts requires both
registration and licensing for all types of guns. Forty-three states allow people to buy assault weapons without registering
the guns or obtaining a license. These findings are key, according to the report, because registration and licensing are the
only way to track compliance with other gun laws, such as the federal law that domestic violence offenders may not own
guns.
The foundation also cites a number of states that have "virtually no firearm laws of their own" and even undermine federal
gun laws. These states include: Maine, Louisiana, Alaska, Texas, Montana, Kentucky, Vermont, North Dakota, Georgia, and
Arkansas. Only two states -- California and Connecticut -- have banned the private sale of assault weapons.
Eighteen states have no minimum age for shotgun possession, and six have no minimum age for possessing a handgun.
While federal law stipulates that no one younger than 18 may possess a handgun, the foundation reports that it found
officials enforce state laws rather than the more rigorous federal regulations. Further, according to the report, federal laws
generally apply only to licensed gun dealers, leaving private sellers, pawn shops, and gun shows largely unregulated.
"A common refrain heard in the gun control debate is that state and federal governments should simply enforce the current
laws instead of generating more," the foundation notes. "This report reveals the limited scope of the existing laws."
