Which states block gun sales to buyers who pose a danger?
8 states have adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Alabama has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Alaska has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Arizona has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Arkansas has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
California has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Colorado has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Connecticut has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Delaware has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Florida has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Georgia has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Hawaii has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Idaho has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Illinois has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Indiana has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Iowa has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Kansas has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Kentucky has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Louisiana has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Maine has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Maryland has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Massachusetts has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Michigan has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Minnesota has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Mississippi has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Missouri has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Montana has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Nebraska has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Nevada has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
New Hampshire has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
New Jersey has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
New Mexico has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
New York has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
North Carolina has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
North Dakota has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Ohio has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Oklahoma has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Oregon has adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Pennsylvania has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Rhode Island has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
South Carolina has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
South Dakota has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Tennessee has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Texas has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Utah has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Vermont has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Virginia has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Washington has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
West Virginia has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Wisconsin has not adopted this policy
Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety
Wyoming has not adopted this policy
What It Does
While many states have strong protections for gun sales—such as background checks and permitting, along with prohibitions for people with violent criminal records—a smaller group of 7 states allows officials to deny purchases if they determine a person poses a danger to themselves or others. This intervention is similar to Extreme Risk orders and can prevent a person at high risk from getting armed in the first place—for example, after repeated suicide threats or domestic violence incidents. A full discussion on who should be prohibited is here.Â