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Gun Laws and the ATF terms
Gun bans, red-flag laws and background checks, and the ATF's rules on suppressors, braces and triggers.
Assault weapons ban A law prohibiting the sale or manufacture of certain semi-automatic firearms defined by cosmetic or functional features; the federal ban expired in 2004. Ghost gun A firearm assembled from parts or kits and lacking a serial number, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace. National Firearms Act A 1934 federal law that taxes and registers machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, suppressors and other specified firearms. National Instant Criminal Background Check System The FBI system used by licensed firearm dealers to check whether a buyer is legally barred from owning a gun. Red flag law A law allowing a court to temporarily remove firearms from a person shown to pose a danger to self or others. Universal background checks A proposal requiring a background check for nearly all firearm sales, including private transfers not handled by licensed dealers.