Click on a state for details. Tom Foreman reports on the new instant background check. Click on a state for details. Federal law bans gun purchases by people convicted or under indictment on felony charges, fugitives, the mentally ill, those with dishonorable military discharges, those who have renounced U.S. citizenship, illegal aliens, illegal drug users and those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or under domestic violence restraining orders.
State laws add other categories.
At the time, the gun-control lobby expressed its disapproval with the deal, but signed on with the idea that passing some legislation was better than passing none. Gun control advocate Sarah Brady, whose husband was injured in the 1980 assassination attempt on President Reagan, and Walker are now among those leading the charge to pass a three-day waiting period for gun purchases in the next session of Congress. There will be a strong, concerted effort in both houses of Congress. They also argue it does little to prevent crime. A criminal is not going to do that.