Weapons Laws

Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Weapons have allowed mankind to overcome the natural world, provide for self-defense, and wage war against enemies. They have also resulted in innumerable crimes, injuries, and deaths. And weapons that are concealed, as opposed to those that are in plain sight, often result in injuries and fatalities that would not have happened had the gun been obvious.
Possession of a Prohibited Weapon

While the right to keep and bear arms is a constitutionally protected liberty, all states limit a person's ability to carry or possess certain weapons in certain situations. Each state has its own laws that establish the types of weapons that are illegal to own or possess.

Using a Gun for Self-Defense: Laws and Consequences

Laws in every state spell out when and whether you can use a gun to defend yourself or someone else.
Red Flag Laws: Constitutionality and Enforcement of Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Learn about state laws that allow law enforcement, family members, and sometimes other community members to request court orders to disarm people who pose a risk of gun violence.
Unlawful Discharge of a Weapon

Unlawful discharge of a weapon crimes can be either misdemeanor or felony offenses depending on the state and the circumstances of the case.
Can I Carry a Gun in My Car?

The answer depends on where you live, and whether you want to carry your gun in a concealed manner or openly, loaded or unloaded. To carry a concealed gun, most states require a concealed carry permit. However, even with a permit, additional laws usually apply to guns in vehicles.

More

Are Fireworks Legal in California?

California classifies the items that qualify as "fireworks," specifies who may possess or sell them, and dictates when and where they may be set off.
Is it Legal to Own Hand Grenades?

Private citizens may not possess live grenades built for the military. But what about home-made devices? It’s sometimes difficult to know whether a particular device qualifies as a “hand grenade.”
Fireworks Sale and Use on Indian Reservations

Is it legal for tribes to sell fireworks when it is not legal elsewhere in a state?

Stun Gun Laws and Permit Requirements

Regulations on stun guns and Tasers are inconsistent across the United States, but courts have struck down complete bans on consumer possession or carrying of these weapons.

Does the Second Amendment Also Protect Homemade Guns? Is it a Crime to Use a Homemade Gun?

The Second Amendment protects an individual's right to make and own a gun, though states are allowed to impose reasonable restrictions.
Homemade Guns: Are They Legal? Must They Be Registered?

Individuals in this country have been making their own guns for centuries. The practice is deeply rooted in our constitutional history and tradition.