Important Developments in Federal Gun Safety Laws

 Posted on September 12, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Gun laws can be difficult to keep track of. Many legal measures are in place to protect American citizens’ right to bear arms, which was established in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. There are other protections in place aimed at restricting people’s access to guns for the sake of public safety. Not only is it confusing because these two objectives tend to be at odds with each other, but laws in both directions keep changing. That means that you might find yourself facing criminal charges without realizing you did anything wrong. In 2022, President Biden signed a gun safety law that has recently taken effect. Recent numbers claim that over 500 cases of federal weapons charges have resulted. If you want to learn more about the implications of gun law development, speak with a knowledgeable Naperville, IL criminal defense lawyer.

What Does the New Gun Safety Law Include?

Some of the changes in gun legislation that could affect you are:

• More stringent background checks: Depending on the circumstances, the background checks you need to go through before purchasing a gun could be stricter. Mental health issues and criminal records are some reasons why someone might face tougher scrutiny and be prevented from buying a gun.
• Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs): Known in some states as "red flag laws," FROs are temporary civil orders that allow law enforcement to take guns away from someone they consider a risk to others or themselves. While Illinois already has FROs in place, the new legislation encourages more states to adopt them and can increase their impact nationwide.
• Mandatory reporting when your gun is stolen or lost: The new law requires you to report any loss or theft of your gun as quickly as possible or face legal consequences.

As always, whenever laws develop and change, it is important to make sure you know what is required of you and what you are prohibited from doing to prevent accidentally violating any laws.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Naperville, IL Gun Law Attorney

If you are unsure how recent legal developments could impact your life, speak with a seasoned Naperville, IL criminal defense lawyer to learn more. At Law Office of Philip R. Nathe, we believe that knowledge is power, and we are dedicated to helping our clients understand the law so they can make informed decisions. Call our office at 630-416-7600 to schedule a free consultation.