Issue Brief

🔫 Gun Control

Gun policy debates center on background check requirements, restrictions on certain weapons, and how to balance Second Amendment rights with public safety. Here are the facts.

📊 Key Facts

45,222

Gun deaths in the U.S. in 2020 (including suicides)

Source: CDC, 2022

400M+

Estimated civilian-owned firearms in the U.S.

Source: Small Arms Survey, 2018

57%

Americans who favor stricter gun laws (Gallup, 2023)

Source: Gallup, Oct 2023

2022

Year the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed — first major federal gun law in nearly 30 years

Source: Congress.gov

States + D.C. with red flag laws allowing courts to temporarily remove guns from at-risk individuals

Source: Everytown Research, 2024

93%

Americans who support universal background checks (Quinnipiac, 2019)

Source: Quinnipiac University Poll

🏛️ Where Congress Stands

🔵 Democratic Position

Generally support universal background checks for all gun sales
Support reinstating the federal assault weapons ban (expired 2004)
Favor federal red flag laws and waiting periods
Support safe storage requirements and gun manufacturer liability
Backed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022)

🔴 Republican Position

Emphasize Second Amendment rights and constitutional limits on regulation
Generally oppose assault weapons bans and magazine capacity limits
Some support mental health funding as alternative to new gun laws
Many support concealed carry reciprocity across states
Some backed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022)

🗳️ Recent Congressional Votes