The 2020 Gallup’s annual Crime poll showed that 32% of adult Americans own a gun, while 45% live in a household where someone owns one. In the land of the free, exercising your Second Amendment right to bear arms can feel like navigating a bureaucratic obstacle course with more than 20,000 gun laws. Federal regulations from yesteryear tangle with state-specific head-scratchers, creating a confusing mess that does little to improve public safety. This article will tell you about the craziest gun laws you’d never believe are true.
Illinois and Wisconsin Don’t Recognize Their Citizens’ Second Amendment Right
In Illinois and Wisconsin, residents face significant restrictions on their Second Amendment rights, which many see as a direct contradiction to the Constitution. These two states ban residents from carrying concealed firearms publicly, a right given in the other 48 states with or without a permit.
A Semi-Automatic Firearm is Banned in Connecticut
Although you can carry a machine gun in Connecticut, any semi-automatic weapon is banned. So, you’ll have to disable the semi-automatic option and use the automatic one. Banning guns based on appearance rather than operation doesn’t address the underlying issues of gun violence and penalizes law-abiding gun owners.
Colorado’s Magazine Capacity Limit
A 2013 law restricts the sale, transfer, and possession of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds in Colorado. Critics argue this law is ineffective because criminals are unlikely to adhere to magazine capacity limits. Additionally, the law has led to confusion and compliance issues, as many residents already own magazines exceeding the limit.
Some States Limit Guns Purchase to One Per Month
California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia have enacted laws limiting individuals to purchasing one gun per month. These laws were intended to reduce gun trafficking and straw purchases, where someone buys guns legally to sell them to those who cannot legally purchase them. But in reality, criminals would still find ways to get weapons to commit crimes.
You Need a Pistol Purchase Permit to Get an Antique Gun In New Jersey
The state’s firearm laws are among the strictest in the country. One of the more bizarre requirements is the need for a pistol purchase permit to buy an antique flintlock pistol. The laws still apply no matter how old or ineffective the firearm is.
Some States Have Gun-Free Zones
Gun-free zones are areas where civilians are prohibited from carrying firearms, even if they have a valid permit. The rationale behind these laws is to create safe spaces where the presence of weapons is minimized. However, these areas can become targets for criminals who know that law-abiding citizens will be unarmed and unable to defend themselves.
If You Move From One State to Another, You Might Have to Leave Your Firearm Behind
A frustrating aspect for gun owners is the potential need to leave their firearms behind when moving to a state with stricter regulations. States like California, New York, and Massachusetts have stringent laws that may not recognize firearms legally owned in other states.
California’s Microstamping Requirement
California mandates that all new semi-automatic handguns should be equipped with microstamping technology, which imprints a unique identifier on each cartridge casing when the gun is fired. Yet, the technology is costly, and manufacturers argue it is unreliable enough to be implemented effectively.
Hawaii’s Ammunition Purchase Restrictions
Buyers provide proof of firearm registration for the specific caliber of ammunition they purchase in Hawaii. This law ensures that ammunition only goes to those legally allowed to possess firearms, complicating the process for lawful gun owners who might want to purchase ammunition for multiple firearms or family members.
Massachusetts’ Approved Firearms Roster
Massachusetts maintains a roster of firearms approved for sale in the state based on safety and quality standards. Dealers cannot legally sell any gun not on the list. This law has been criticized for its arbitrariness and for limiting consumer choice. Many popular and reliable firearms do not make it onto the roster due to minor technicalities.
New York’s SAFE Act
New York’s 2013 SAFE Act includes several restrictive measures, such as background checks for ammunition purchases, a ban on certain semi-automatic firearms, and the requirement to register existing assault weapons. The background check creates significant delays and inconvenience for lawful gun owners. Registration requirements and the assault weapon ban have also been criticized for targeting features that do not necessarily enhance a firearm’s lethality.
Ohio’s Restrictions on Self-Defense in Public
You have to prove that you were in imminent danger and had no means of retreat to use a firearm for self-defense in Ohio. This law places an unrealistic burden on individuals facing life-threatening situations. Experts argue that expecting someone to retreat when confronted by an attacker is unreasonable and potentially dangerous.
New York City’s $340 Handgun Permit Fee
Residents who wish to own a handgun must pay a $340 fee every three years for a permit in New York, adding to the other costs associated with legally purchasing and owning a firearm. Critics argue that this fee is a form of financial discrimination, effectively making it difficult for low-income individuals to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
California’s Bullet Button Regulation
Before California’s 2016 update to its gun laws, the state required semi-automatic rifles to have a bullet button. This mechanism required a tool to release the magazine, making reloading less convenient. However, in 2016, the state further tightened the law, banning the bullet button and requiring owners to register such firearms as assault weapons.
New Jersey’s Ban on Hollow-Point Ammunition
Hollow-point bullets expand upon impact, which can stop an attacker more effectively and reduce the risk of over-penetration that could harm bystanders. Hence, New Jersey prohibits the possession of hollow-point ammunition except in limited circumstances, such as while hunting or at a shooting range. The ban on hollow-point ammunition is seen as particularly illogical because these rounds are widely considered safer for self-defense.