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Require Prohibited People to Turn in Their Guns

    Require Prohibited People to Turn in Their Guns

      What does this solve?

      Requiring people to turn in their guns when they become legally prohibited from having them helps keep guns out of the wrong hands. Under federal law, there is no affirmative requirement that people who are prohibited from having guns turn in firearms that they already have.

      This makes it easy for felons, domestic abusers, and other people who would otherwise fail a background check to keep their guns. Ensuring that firearms do not remain in the hands of those who are legally prohibited from having them helps enforce our laws that prohibit people with dangerous histories from being armed.

      How it Works

      Keep guns out of the wrong hands.

      At the Forefront of Gun Safety: Removing Illegal Guns Policy Paper

      Requiring people prohibited from having guns to turn in the guns they already own simply enforces existing laws. Federal and state laws already provide that certain categories of people, for example, felons and domestic abusers, cannot have firearms.118 U.S.C. § 922(g) Background checks are essential to making sure these people cannot buy new guns. But it is equally important to make sure that they cannot hold onto the guns they already have.

      Although federal law prohibits several categories of people with dangerous histories from having firearms,218 U.S.C. § 922(g) it does not affirmatively require firearms to be turned in once a person becomes prohibited nor does it set forth a process for them to do so. It is up to the states to make sure that prohibited people actually turn in their guns. The process typically involves state and local courts and law enforcement.

      A strong relinquishment law includes a swift timeline and requires a prohibited person to turn in their gun(s) to law enforcement or a licensed firearms dealer. It also allows law enforcement to seek a warrant and seize firearms that are not promptly turned in and requires any purchase or carry permits to be turned in. Technological infrastructure to identify gun owners in real-time as they are convicted or otherwise become prohibited and funding for personnel to remove guns if they are not turned in voluntarily are also essential for successful gun removal programs.

      By the numbers

      Which states require prohibited domestic abusers to turn in any guns after a conviction?

      17 states have adopted this policy

      AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Alabama has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Alaska has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Arizona has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Arkansas has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      California has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Colorado has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Connecticut has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Delaware has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Florida has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Georgia has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Hawaii has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Idaho has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Illinois has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Indiana has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Iowa has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Kansas has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Kentucky has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Louisiana has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Maine has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Maryland has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Massachusetts has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Michigan has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Minnesota has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Mississippi has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Missouri has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Montana has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Nebraska has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Nevada has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      New Hampshire has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      New Jersey has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      New Mexico has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      New York has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      North Carolina has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      North Dakota has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Ohio has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Oklahoma has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Oregon has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Pennsylvania has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Rhode Island has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      South Carolina has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      South Dakota has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Tennessee has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Texas has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Utah has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Vermont has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Virginia has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Washington has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      West Virginia has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Wisconsin has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers

      Wyoming has not adopted this policy

      Which states require prohibited domestic abusers to turn in any guns while under a restraining order?

      22 states have adopted this policy

      AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Alabama has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Alaska has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Arizona has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Arkansas has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      California has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Colorado has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Connecticut has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Delaware has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Florida has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Georgia has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Hawaii has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Idaho has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Illinois has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Indiana has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Iowa has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Kansas has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Kentucky has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Louisiana has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Maine has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Maryland has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Massachusetts has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Michigan has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Minnesota has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Mississippi has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Missouri has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Montana has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Nebraska has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Nevada has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      New Hampshire has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      New Jersey has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      New Mexico has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      New York has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      North Carolina has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      North Dakota has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Ohio has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Oklahoma has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Oregon has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Pennsylvania has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Rhode Island has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      South Carolina has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      South Dakota has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Tennessee has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Texas has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Utah has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Vermont has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Virginia has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Washington has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      Yes

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      West Virginia has not adopted this policy

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Wisconsin has adopted this policy

      Does the state bar the surrender of firearms to third parties?
      No

      Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders

      Wyoming has not adopted this policy

      Myth

      Relinquishment laws are just an elaborate way for the government to confiscate guns.

      Fact

      Relinquishment laws simply enforce existing laws that prohibit certain categories of people with dangerous histories from having guns. If a person is subsequently allowed to have guns again—for example, because they are no longer under a prohibiting restraining order—they can get back the guns they turned in.

      Featured Resources

      Require Prohibited People to Turn in Their Guns

      All Resources

      Did you know?

      In California, over 10,00 gun owners become prohibited from having guns each year.

      Everytown analysis of California Department of Justice, “Armed And Prohibited Persons System Report,” Annual Reports 2017–2021, https://oag.ca.gov/publications#apps. Average: 2017–2021. See also, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, “At the Forefront of Gun Safety: Removing Illegal Guns,” November 16, 2022, https://everytownresearch.org/report/at-the-forefront-of-gun-safety-removing-illegal-guns/.

      Last updated: 11.16.2022