Firearm Laws: Registration and Licensing of Firearm Owners

Task Force Finding*

Registration requires that records of the owners of specified firearms be created and retained by appropriate authorities. Licensing requires a person to obtain formal authorization or certification to purchase or possess a firearm. Although the federal government has no requirements for registration or licensing, several states have laws that require the licensing of gun owners, registration of guns, or both. Registration and licensing might reduce firearms violence by increasing the likelihood of legal and legitimate firearms use, allowing the tracking of firearms abuse, and deterring unlawful users from firearms acquisition.

The evidence, consisting of a small number of studies with limitations in their design and execution, is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of licensing and registration in reducing violence.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to reduce violence through early childhood home visitation, therapeutic foster care, and firearms laws. [PDF - 71KB] Am J Prev Med 2005;28(2S1):6-10.

Review completed: October 2001