Which states require prompt firearm removal when a person becomes prohibited?
7 states have adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Alabama has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Alaska has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Arizona has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Arkansas has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
California has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Colorado has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Connecticut has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Delaware has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Florida has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Georgia has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Hawaii has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Idaho has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Illinois has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Indiana has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Iowa has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Kansas has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Kentucky has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Louisiana has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Maine has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Maryland has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Massachusetts has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Michigan has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Minnesota has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Mississippi has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Missouri has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Montana has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Nebraska has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Nevada has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
New Hampshire has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
New Jersey has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
New Mexico has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
New York has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
North Carolina has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
North Dakota has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Ohio has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Oklahoma has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Oregon has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Pennsylvania has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Rhode Island has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
South Carolina has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
South Dakota has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Tennessee has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Texas has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Utah has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Vermont has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Virginia has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Washington has adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
West Virginia has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Wisconsin has not adopted this policy
Gun Removal Program
Wyoming has not adopted this policy
What It Does
The strongest state policies proactively identify any gun owner who has become prohibited for any reason and ensure that person is disarmed promptly. Several states already have expansive laws preventing dangerous gun purchases, including background checks, extreme risk laws, and robust prohibitors. Their gun removal laws make them innovators, protecting the public by ensuring a person cannot go home after a conviction or restraining order and access illegal guns. A full discussion on the Gun Removal Program is here.Â
The Impact
California’s system performs a daily review of all people with a new firearm prohibition, checking their names against sales databases—and then often working with local officials to rapidly remove any guns. The program removed over 8,000 illegal firearms from 2017 to 2019 alone.
Source: Cal. Penal Code §§ 29800—29830, 30000—30020; Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-36k, 29-36n; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-7.3; 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 65/8.5, 65/9.5; N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 370.25; Wash. Rev. Code §§ 9.41.800–9.41.815.
Agents seized a total of 2,130 firearms in 2019, 2,290 firearms in 2018, and 3,685 firearms in 2017. See California Department of Justice, Armed and Prohibited Persons Systems (APPS) 2019, Annual report to the legislature, available at https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/publications/apps-2019.pdf; California Department of Justice, APPS 2018 Annual Report to the Legislature, Armed and Prohibited Persons System, available at https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/publications/armed-prohib-person-system-2018.pdf; APPS 2017 Annual Report to the Legislature, Armed and Prohibited PErsons System, available at https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/publications/armed-prohib-person-system-2017.pdf.
