The Second Amendment
What year was the Second Amendment adopted?
1791.
What body passes federal laws in the U.S.?
Congress.
What is a handgun?
A firearm that can be held with one hand.
What is the federal minimum legal age to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer?
21 years old.
What does concealed carry refer to?
The practice of carrying a concealed handgun for self-defense outside the home.
According to the Second Amendment, what is necessary for the security of a free state?
A well-regulated Militia.
How can states create their own gun laws?
As long as they do not conflict with federal laws.
What type of firearm continues to fire as long as the trigger is pressed?
Automatic firearm.
What law, passed in 1968, prevents certain people from purchasing guns?
The Gun Control Act of 1968.
What is the gun show loophole?
unlicensed sellers at gun shows can sell firearms without conducting background checks.
Which organization supports the interpretation that assault weapons are legal if effective for self-defense?
National Rifle Association (NRA).
What type of firearms dealer is not required to follow federal gun laws?
Unlicensed dealers.
What is a long gun?
A firearm with a long barrel that is designed to be held with two hands, such as shotguns or rifles.
What is the system created in 1998 for conducting background checks?
National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
What can may issue states do in relation to concealed carry permits?
They may deny permits even if applicants meet the state's criteria.
What case in 2008 reversed a D.C. law on handgun ownership?
District of Columbia v. Heller.
What do federal and state laws regulate when it comes to firearms?
Who can manufacture, buy, sell, own, or transfer firearms and under what conditions.
What is the difference between a semi-automatic and an automatic firearm?
A semi-automatic fires one bullet per trigger pull, while an automatic fires continuously as long as the trigger is pressed.
What does the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act require licensed sellers to do?
Perform background checks, keep records of sales, and report theft or loss of firearms.
What is a stand your ground provision?
It allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense in public spaces where they are legally allowed to be.
What does the NRA claim about the Second Amendment's application to certain assault weapons?
The NRA claims that the Second Amendment protects the right to own certain assault weapons if they are effective for self-defense.
What distinction do federal gun laws make between different types of guns?
The distinction between handguns and long guns.
What term is debated and doesn't have a clear definition when talking about some semi automatic rifles?
Assault weapons.
What is a "default proceed sale" loophole?
If a background check is not completed within three days, the purchase can proceed regardless.
What type of sale does the gun show loophole apply to, aside from gun shows?
Private sales, including gifts or inherited firearms.