18 U.S.C. Sections 921 through 931[1] comprise the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), as amended. The GCA establishes the foundational federal framework for firearms regulation in the United States.
Structure
The GCA comprises: Section 921 (definitions), Section 922 (unlawful acts, the core), Section 923 (licensing), Section 924 (penalties), Sections 925/925A-D (exceptions, relief, remedies), Sections 926/926A-C (regulations, interstate transport, LEOSA), Section 927 (effect on state law), Section 928 (separability), Section 929 (restricted ammunition), Section 930 (federal facilities), and Section 931 (body armor). The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 added Sections 932-933 (straw purchasing and trafficking).
Key Penalties Under Section 924
- False statements on Form 4473: Up to 10 years
- Section 922(g) violations: Up to 15 years
- Armed Career Criminal Act: 15-year mandatory minimum
- Using/carrying firearm during crime of violence or drug crime (Section 924(c)): 5-year mandatory minimum (consecutive); brandishing: 7 years; discharging: 10 years; machine gun/silencer: 30 years
- Second Section 924(c): 25 years
- Straw purchasing/trafficking (Sections 932-933): Up to 15 years (25 with terrorism/trafficking nexus)
Federal-State Relationship
Section 927 states: "No provision of this chapter shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of the Congress to occupy the field." Federal law sets a minimum floor. Massachusetts adds mandatory licensing for all possession, universal background checks, an assault-style firearm ban, a complete suppressor ban, mandatory safe storage, a registration system, prohibited carry areas, and broader prohibited persons categories.
Major Amendments
- Firearms Owners' Protection Act (1986): Relaxed some provisions, added safe passage (Section 926A), banned new civilian machine guns
- Brady Act (1993): Created NICS
- Violent Crime Control Act (1994): Federal assault weapons ban (expired 2004)
- Lautenberg Amendment (1996): Domestic violence misdemeanor prohibition
- LEOSA (2004/2010): Law enforcement officer carry protections
- BSCA (2022): Enhanced under-21 checks, boyfriend loophole closure, straw purchasing/trafficking offenses, penalty increases
Sources
Related
- AG Enforcement Notice on Copies and Duplicates (July 20, 2016)
- AG Handgun Sales Enforcement Notice
- MGL Chapter 140, Section 121: Firearms Definitions
- Untraceable Firearms and Serialization Requirements: Sections 121C and 121D
- MGL Chapter 140, Section 128: Dealer Licensing Violations and the Assault-Style Firearm Framework
- MGL Chapter 140, Section 129B: Firearm Identification Card