By Ted Hitchcock
The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) is a federal law in the United States that regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, sale, and transfer of firearms. The law was passed in response to rising crime rates and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy.
The GCA created a licensing system for firearms dealers and manufacturers and prohibited certain categories of individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms, including felons, fugitives, and those who have been dishonorably discharged from the military. It also banned the importation of certain types of firearms, such as those that are not primarily intended for sporting purposes.
The GCA also established the Federal Firearms License (FFL) system, which requires firearms dealers and manufacturers to obtain a license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in order to legally conduct business. The FFL system also requires firearms dealers to keep records of firearms sales and to conduct background checks on individuals who purchase firearms.
In addition to the FFL system, the GCA also established the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is used to conduct background checks on individuals who purchase firearms from licensed dealers. The NICS system is operated by the FBI and is designed to quickly and efficiently determine whether an individual is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under federal law.
The GCA has been amended several times since its original passage in 1968. The most significant amendment was the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, which added an additional background check requirement for firearms purchased from unlicensed dealers, such as those at gun shows.
Overall, the Gun Control Act of 1968 is a federal law that regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, sale, and transfer of firearms in the United States. The law was passed in response to rising crime rates and high-profile assassinations, and it created a licensing system for firearms dealers and manufacturers, prohibited certain categories of individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms, and established the Federal Firearms License and National Instant Criminal Background Check System.