BALTIMORE — A recent study from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions advocates for the broader implementation of firearm purchaser licensing laws, highlighting evidence that these regulations can significantly reduce gun violence. The report, developed in collaboration with the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, introduces a set of strategic recommendations designed to optimize the effectiveness of such legislation in safeguarding public health.
Released on February 18 and titled “Firearm Purchaser Licensing: Research Evidence to Inform State Policy,” the study suggests that gun licensing laws should incorporate several critical features. These include mandatory firearms safety training, fingerprinting of applicants, in-person applications, comprehensive background checks, and waiting periods between the application and the receipt of a firearm.
Eleven states—Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon—plus Washington, D.C., currently enforce gun purchasing licensing laws. The research highlights that only six jurisdictions — Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. — embody all recommended components.
Silvia Villarreal, MPP, the director of research translation at the Johns Hopkins Center and the study’s lead author, emphasized the positive impact of these licensing laws. “Our findings confirm that comprehensive firearm purchaser licensing laws contribute to noticeable declines in both homicides and suicides involving firearms,” Villarreal noted.
The urgency for effective gun control measures is underscored by staggering national statistics. Gun violence remains a leading cause of death among children and youth aged 1 to 17 in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that firearms were involved in 70% of homicides and 55% of suicides, with a total of 46,728 firearm-related deaths recorded in 2023 alone.
Despite federal regulations requiring background checks for gun purchases at federally licensed stores, significant loopholes remain, particularly concerning private sales and gun shows. Furthermore, federal law allows sales to proceed if background checks are not completed within three business days.
Several studies cited in the report illustrate the efficacy of stringent gun licensing laws. For instance, a 2018 analysis revealed an 11% decrease in gun homicides in urban counties across the U.S. attributable to these laws from 1984 to 2015. More dramatic results were found in a 2020 study, which noted a 56% reduction in mass shooting incidents and a 67% reduction in mass shooting casualties in regions with robust licensing laws.
Contrastingly, the report also mentions adverse effects following the loosening of such laws, citing Missouri’s experience after the repeal of its handgun purchaser licensing law in 2007. The state observed a 25% surge in gun homicides and a 16% rise in gun suicides over the subsequent five years.
Josh Horwitz, JD, co-director of the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, stressed the importance of the report as a comprehensive resource for lawmakers and advocates engaged in gun violence prevention efforts. “We aim to equip policymakers and community leaders with the necessary data and insights to develop or enhance firearm purchasing legislation effectively,” stated Horwitz.
The authors, including Silvia Villarreal, Amy Barnhorst, Richard Bonnie, Kami Chavis, Cassandra Crifasi, Shannon Frattaroli, Kelly Roskam, Jeffrey Swanson, Sylvia Washington, and Joshua Horwitz, collectively foresee that their findings will galvanize legislative action in states currently without such laws.
Support for the research was provided by the Joyce Foundation, underscoring the ongoing commitment of various stakeholders to address gun violence through informed public policy.
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