Leadership Center for Attorney General Studies

Everyone should be protected by gun laws that reduce violence and protect our communities, schools, and homes against preventable tragedies.

Gun violence is an epidemic in the United States. More than 38,000 Americans die from gun violence each year – an average of 100 a day. The United States has more than four times the number of gun related deaths per 100,000 people than other high-income nations. Gun violence has contributed to national tragedies such as at Columbine, Newtown, Pulse Nightclub, Parkland, and Las Vegas. Gun safety means passing meaningful laws such universal background checks to keep guns and ammunition out of the hands of people who may be dangerous, banning military-style and high capacity weapons, and enforcing the laws on the books.

Attorneys general are often the top law enforcement and/or legal officers in their state, and they take gun safety seriously. Attorneys general bring cases against gun traffickers, advocate for legislation, and hold gun companies accountable for their products.