THERE ARE SEVERAL different approaches to gun control advocated by Americans, which range from requiring background checks of gun purchasers to mandatory registration of all guns by their owners. All of these approaches are aimed at the same result—reducing gun violence in America.

The most common method of gun control is background checks. Background checks are investigations of a gun purchaser's criminal history. Gun dealers conduct these checks to determine if a person is prohibited by law from owning a gun. If a gun purchaser is found to be in a prohibited category, such as being a convicted felon, then the gun dealer does not allow the customer to buy a gun.

Brady law and background checks

Background checks have been required in all states by the Brady law since 1994. This law requires that all federally...