Most Americans Would Fail a Test on Gun Law Knowledge

Multiple states have passed new gun-related legislation so far in 2025. North Carolina approved a bill allowing permitless concealed carry, becoming the 30th state to do so. Colorado enacted Bull 3, which mandates a safety card and training for those purchasing semiautomatic rifles. It also limits magazine capacity. Meanwhile, on the west coast, Oregon passed a big senate bill banning bump stocks. Its northern neighbor, Washington state, now requires a five-year permit issued by the State Patrol before buying any gun. Down south, Alabama has banned Glock-switch devices capable of converting pistols and rifles to automatic weapons. And lastly, Louisiana is in the minority with its passing of pro-gun bills, one of which favors manufacturers over anti-gun measures.

With all the new laws, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest gun legislation in each of the 50 states. But with so much changing, it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the firearm industry. 24/7 Wall St. has taken a deep dive into the most common gun law questions and done our best to answer them for you. We used state websites, forums, and other regulatory insights to provide answers. However, please note that the answers to most of these questions vary based on state and local laws and definitive answers are tricky.

This post was updated on June 15, 2025 to include new gun laws passed in 2025.

Why Discuss Gun Laws?

Approximately one-third of Americans currently own a gun — and 40% of Americans live in a home where at least one gun is present. Guns are ingrained in American culture and identity. And yet, lackng knowledge around guns is common — and can be deadly. The rate of deadly gun violence in an area can negatively affect the economy; housing markets, local businesses, and job opportunities may decline when an area is seen as too violent. On top of that, the 36% of people who could see themselves owning a gun in the future should be concerned not only about public safety, but about the livelihoods of themselves and their families. Becoming informed about gun laws is an important part of being a safe and responsible gun owner.

Most Americans can’t answer these 22 questions about gun laws: 

22. Question: Public Transport

Can you legally carry a firearm on public transportation? 

Answer: Maybe

The answer to this question depends on the state and the public transportation system. For example, Chicago prohibits firearms on any public transportation method, and the same goes for all of Amtrak’s train lines. 

21. Question: Active-Duty Exemptions

Are active-duty service members exempt from any gun laws that apply to civilians? 

Answer: No

If a military member is off duty, they are required to follow all civilian gun laws. While on duty, service members must adhere to military regulations regarding firearms. Either way, there are regulations that said service members must follow. 

20. Question: Misdemeanors

Can someone be denied gun ownership if they have a misdemeanor conviction? 

Answer: Yes and No (It’s Complicated) 

Typically, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor for domestic violence, you would be prohibited from owning a firearm. In some states, the same restrictions apply to anyone who has been convicted of repeated DUIs or stalking. However, in other cases and states, loopholes exist and someone with a misdemeanor can own a firearm. Check your state’s policies to learn more. 

19. Question: Machine Guns

Are you legally able to own a machine gun in the United States? 

Answer: In Strict Cases

For the most part, any machine gun manufactured before May 19, 1986, can be legally owned in the United States per the National Firearms Act. Owning these weapons would require ATF registration, an extensive background check, and a $200 tax payment. Machine guns manufactured after this date are prohibited from civilian ownership. 

18. Question: Gun Manufacturers and Crime

Can a gun manufacturer be sued if a manufactured firearm is used in a crime? 

Answer: No, With Exceptions

This has long been a heated legal issue, with many critics of guns saying that manufacturers should be held responsible for certain crimes. But the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) protects firearms manufacturers and dealers against lawsuits. However, there are exceptions. In the case of the Sandy Hook shooting, families of the victims successfully won a lawsuit against Remington Firearms with the argument that the company’s deceptive marketing tactics played a role in the shooting. 

17. Question: Felonies and Firearms

Can someone who has previously been convicted of a felony own and or carry a firearm? 

Answer: No

This is a pretty easy one. Federal law has been in place for a while, indicating that anyone convicted of a felony in the past, regardless of the crime, is prohibited from owning a firearm. There are cases in which felons can have their gun ownership rights restored, but doing so requires significant legal work, and success varies by state. 

16. Question: Ammunition Sales

Do you need to have a federal firearms license to sell ammunition legally? 

Answer: No

Federal law does not currently mandate having a license to sell standard ammunition to the public. However, any seller is responsible for ensuring that a potential buyer is not restricted from owning firearms. Also, states like California mandate that a background check be undertaken for ammunition purchases. 

15. Question: State Lines

Can you legally take a firearm across state lines? 

Answer: Yes

When it comes to questions about gun laws that Americans don’t know, this is the question we see most frequently answered incorrectly. Under the Firearm Owners Protection Act, an individual can transport a firearm across state lines if used for a lawful purpose and locked in a container. But anyone crossing state lines must be familiar with the laws of any state they enter, as individual state laws vary, especially around reciprocity for concealed carry permits.  

14. Question: Guns on School Campuses

Can guns be carried on a college campus? 

Answer: Yes, In Some States

The short answer to this question is yes, especially in places like Texas, where guns can be legally carried openly without a permit. However, this law gets significantly tighter in states like California, where firearms are strictly prohibited on college campuses unless carried by members of law enforcement. 

13. Question: Magazine Capacity Limits

Are there any limits on magazine capacity? 

Answer: Yes, In Certain States

As it currently stands, 14 states and Washington, D.C. have enabled magazine capacity restrictions. In many states, the maximum allowed capacity is between 10 and 20 rounds. For example, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont all limit magazines to 10 rounds, while Vermont also extends this rule to handguns to just 15 rounds. 

12. Question: Bump Stocks

Bump stocks are frequently in the news. Are they legal? 

Answer: No

While bump stocks are still found in the wild, they have been federally banned since 2018. The popularity of this weapon enhancement enables a semiautomatic rifle to fire rapidly, and its use has been under a microscope after being used in several mass shootings in recent years. 

11. Question: Gun Shows

Can you purchase a firearm at a gun show without requiring a background check? 

Answer: Not Really

Per federal law, anyone with a Federal Firearms License (FFL), such as a gun store or other licensee who might sell at a gun show, must perform a background check on any buyer and keep detailed records about the sale. In Florida, this isn’t necessarily true, as you can purchase a firearm at a gun show without any background check due to a loophole known as the “gun show loophole.” 

10. Question: Ammunition Restrictions 

Are there any restrictions on the type of ammunition a single buyer can purchase? 

Answer: Yes

A buyer in the United States cannot purchase or own armor-piercing ammunition due to a federal ban. Federal law also bans handgun ammunition from being sold to anyone under 21 years of age. There are also state limitations based on magazine capacity and locations like California that require a background check on most ammunition purchases. 

9. Question: Suppressors

Can someone not in law enforcement or the military use a silencer or gun suppressor? 

Answer: Yes

The short answer is yes: 42 states allow suppressors to be used in conjunction with private firearms. However, to do so, you must register under the National Firearms Act, pay a $200 tax, and submit to an even more extensive background check. 

8. Question: DIY Guns

Are you legally allowed to make your firearms? 

Answer: Yes

This is a tough question. The guidelines vary, but are coming under increasing scrutiny as 3D printing becomes more popular. This technology allows people to manufacture guns that can pass through metal detectors, which many people worry will become a concern for public safety. However, making firearms for personal use is legal if the individual complies with federal laws. Any gun manufactured privately must be legally registered with a serial number. 

7. Question: Assault Weapons

Are assault weapons banned nationwide? 

Answer: No

This question often confuses many Americans, as President Bill Clinton had previously enacted a 10-year ban on assault weapons. However, this ban expired in 2004, which allowed states like New York, California, and Connecticut to enact their own restrictions on assault weapons. That being said, it is definitely possible to acquire assault weapons. 

6. Question: Waiting Periods

What is the current federal waiting period to purchase and own a firearm? 

Answer: Varies By State

In terms of federal law, you don’t have to worry about a waiting period. But the laws can get a little more complicated when you look state-by-state. In California, you’d have to push past a 10-day waiting period for the background check to complete, while Florida only requires a 3-day waiting period for handgun purchases. 

5. Question: State Laws

Can you legally carry a firearm in every state? 

Answer: Yes, With Restrictions

Every state allows people to carry firearms under certain conditions. Anyone doing so needs a permit, like a concealed carry permit, that restricts how a weapon can be carried or displayed on one’s person. For example, you can carry it openly without a permit in Texas, while New York and Florida have stricter rules. 

4. Question: Buying More Than One Gun

If you walk into a gun store, how many guns can one person purchase at a time? 

Answer: No Restrictions

Federal law does not directly prohibit or restrict the number of firearms a single individual can purchase at one time. However, there’s a major caveat. If you were to buy several guns at once, the shop you purchase from would have to report the sale to the ATF. Additionally, states like California do restrict handgun buyers to a single gun or rifle purchase per month. So your purchasing power might be dependent on where you live. 

3. Question: Private Sales

Do you need to complete a background check if you are selling a gun privately? 

Answer: No

Interestingly enough, no existing federal law prohibits or restricts private firearm sales without a background check being completed. However, states like California, New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and others have varying degrees of state-based laws that would allow for private gun transactions. In total, 22 states and Washington, D.C., have laws requiring background checks for a private transfer. 

2. Question: Online Shopping

Can you purchase a gun or firearm online and ship it to your home? 

Answer: No

Anytime a firearm is purchased online, it must be shipped to a licensed firearm dealer or gun store where a background check can be completed. Pending the background check’s approval, a firearm transfer can occur to the intended buyer. Only antique firearms manufactured before 1899 can be shipped to your home. 

1. Question: Age Limits

How old must you be to purchase a handgun in the United States? 

Answer: 21

In the United States, federal law states that a minimum age of 21 is required to purchase a handgun. Strangely, the same federal laws also allow an 18-year-old to buy both a rifle and a shotgun, so gun advocates hope change the law so it’s the same age for everything. In fact, the law might be changing sooner than we think. On January 30, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the federal ban on selling guns to people under 21 years old was unconstitutional.

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