Firearms FAQ – Gun Laws – SelfDefenceUSA

Caliber and Ammunition

What does “caliber” mean?

Caliber refers to the diameter of a bullet. In the U.S., caliber is measured in inches (for example, 1.0 = one inch). Common handgun calibers include .22, .25, .38, and .45.

Firearm Types and Functions

What’s the difference between automatic and semi-automatic guns?

A semi-automatic firearm fires one round each time the trigger is pulled. An automatic firearm continues to fire as long as the trigger is held down.

What’s the difference between a pistol and a revolver?

Both are handguns. A revolver has a rotating cylinder that holds the ammunition, typically six rounds. A pistol, as defined by the ATF, does not use a revolving cylinder. Most pistols use a detachable magazine inserted into the grip.

What does “dropfire” mean?

Dropfire is the accidental discharge of a firearm caused by impact (e.g., when a gun is dropped). In pistols, the shock may release the striker and fire a round in the chamber.

Firearm Licensing and Regulations

What is an FFL (Federal Firearms License)?

An FFL is a license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that allows individuals or businesses to sell, manufacture, or import firearms. There are 11 types of FFLs, but most are issued to gun dealers.

What is required to obtain an FFL?

Applicants must pass a background check, provide fingerprints and photos, complete an interview with an ATF inspector, show proof of a business location, comply with local laws, notify local law enforcement, and pay the licensing fee.

Who is prohibited from buying a firearm?

Prohibited buyers include:

Convicted felons
Fugitives
Drug users
Minors
Undocumented immigrants
Individuals with domestic violence convictions
People adjudicated as mentally ill
Dishonorably discharged veterans
Those who renounce U.S. citizenship

What is a straw buyer?

A straw buyer purchases a firearm on behalf of someone who is legally prohibited from owning one. Federal law prohibits this practice, and licensed dealers are required to prevent such sales.

Firearms and Crime

How often are guns used in crime?

According to DOJ surveys, guns are used in hundreds of thousands of violent crimes annually. Firearms are involved in about 68% of murders, and most of these involve handguns.

What is a “Saturday Night Special”?

The term refers to inexpensive, small-caliber handguns often linked to street crimes. Its exact origin is unclear but is thought to date back to the 1960s.

What does “Ring of Fire” refer to in firearms?

The “Ring of Fire” describes a group of handgun manufacturers in Southern California that produced inexpensive handguns, often criticized as “junk guns” due to poor design standards.

How often are Saturday Night Specials used in crimes?

Studies suggest guns from “Ring of Fire” manufacturers are more likely to be linked to crimes compared to major brands such as Colt or Smith & Wesson.

What types of guns are most trafficked illegally?

According to ATF, inexpensive handguns are the firearms most frequently trafficked in illegal markets.

Firearm Laws

What did the Brady Bill change?

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1994) introduced a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases to allow for background checks. This system was later replaced by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).