📅 2026 Update: Changes to Gun Licensing and Regulations

Since the original article was written, several important changes have occurred in gun licensing and regulations across the United States. These updates reflect evolving laws and concerns about public safety. The earlier article continues further down the page.

🚨 Recent Legislative Changes

In April 2026, the Trump administration's Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) introduced over 30 new rules. These rules aim to address potential risks to public safety, including the possibility of mass casualty events.

🛡️ New State Regulations

Maryland has joined California by prohibiting the sale of handguns that can be easily converted into fully automatic "DIY machine guns" using illegal switches as of May 2026. This change aims to reduce the risks associated with modified firearms.

🏗️ Closing Loopholes on Illegal Firearms

In March 2026, Colorado's House passed HB 1144. This bill targets gaps allowing the spread of 3D-printed guns and illegal gun parts. The bill's goal is to enhance the control of unregulated firearm manufacturing.

🎓 Training Requirements for Dealers

As of April 2026, all firearm dealers in Massachusetts must complete a training program. This program covers security standards, employee background checks, and licensing requirements to ensure responsible firearm sales.

📌 Key Points

  • New rules from the DOJ and ATF may affect public safety.
  • Maryland prohibits sales of easily convertible handguns.
  • Colorado is closing loopholes on 3D-printed firearms.
  • Massachusetts requires training for firearm dealers.
  • Stay informed about state-specific regulations.

💡 Tips for Navigating Gun Licensing

Review the details of your situation with your attorney to ensure compliance with current laws.

📄 Understand State-Specific Regulations

Different states have varying rules for firearm licensing. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with your state’s laws, especially after recent changes.

⏳ Stay Updated on New Legislation

Keep an eye on new laws and regulations, such as the recent updates in Maryland and Colorado. Understanding these changes can help you avoid potential legal issues.

🔍 Research Processing Times

Although specific processing times for firearm licenses in many states are not detailed, checking with local authorities can provide current estimates that help plan your application process.

📋 Complete Required Training

If you are a firearm dealer in Massachusetts, complete the required training program on security standards and employee background checks. This is crucial for staying compliant with state regulations.

📞 Seek Resources for Guidance

Organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety and the NRA provide resources. These organizations can help you understand changes in legislation and how they may affect you.

🏆 Top Services for Gun Licensing Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

Services related to gun licensing are essential for navigating the complexities of firearm laws. The following services have been ranked based on Trustpilot data checked in October 2026. Keep in mind that ratings can change over time, and unhappy customers tend to leave more reviews, which may affect scores.

🥇 1. GunBroker.com

GunBroker.com has been rated 4.5 on Trustpilot. This online marketplace is known for facilitating secure buying and selling of firearms. However, some reviewers note delays in customer service response times, which can affect the overall experience.

🆓 Free Resources for Gun Licensing

Organizations such as Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action provide free resources and support. They help individuals understand and navigate gun laws, offering updates on state-specific regulations and advocacy for gun safety.

🔎 What to Compare When Choosing Services

  • 📊 Trustpilot score and number of reviews.
  • 🛡️ Security and reliability of the service.
  • ⏰ Customer service response times.
  • 📚 Availability of educational resources.
  • 🏷️ Fees associated with the services offered.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❔ What is the process for obtaining a gun license in Maryland?

The process in Maryland involves compliance with new legislation prohibiting specific handgun sales. However, specific forms and steps are not detailed in available sources.

🤔 Are there deadlines for applying for a gun license?

As of May 2026, specific deadlines for firearm license applications in Maryland, Colorado, and Massachusetts are not detailed in the available sources.

🛡️ What training is required for firearm dealers?

In Massachusetts, firearm dealers must complete a training program focusing on security standards, employee background checks, and licensing requirements to ensure compliance with state laws.

📅 How often do gun laws change?

Gun laws can change frequently based on legislative developments. It's important to stay updated with local and federal regulations to ensure compliance.

🔍 Where can I find more information about gun laws?

Organizations like Brady and the NRA provide information and assistance on gun laws. Their resources can help individuals stay informed about current regulations and safety practices.

🛠️ How do 3D-printed guns affect gun licensing?

Recent legislation, such as Colorado's HB 1144, aims to close loopholes related to 3D-printed guns and illegal parts. This impacts manufacturing and regulation of firearms.

⚖️ Recent Court Cases Related to Gun Licensing

Recent court rulings have influenced gun licensing and regulations across the country. These cases often address the balance between individual rights and public safety.

For more information on recent rulings, check more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update





The process of obtaining a gun can sometimes be difficult and confusing, but with the right information, one can pass through the process with very little difficulty.



How to Get a Gun License

Background 

Gun control laws in America are a relatively recent development, with the earliest important examples, aside from the 2nd Amendment, all coming from the 20th century. Most gun control laws, however, are based on state policies, as opposed to federal laws, and therefore vary from state to state.

The difficulty of obtaining a gun license arose as a way to ensure that only responsible citizens were buying guns, officially, and most federal gun laws revolve around keeping guns out of the hands of citizens who should not have them. Read this article for a bit of background information on the rules of importance for guns and gun owners in America, and for a summary of the important acts.



Background Check

While the process of obtaining a gun license involves any number of steps, one of the elements that is mandated by federal law, as opposed to state law, is a background check. Nowadays, these background checks are performed quickly and easily with the help of an FBI database. The background checks are non-intrusive, and are aimed solely at determining whether or not you are prohibited from purchasing guns under federal law because you fall into one of many categories.

Background checks are also important for those seeking to obtain a federal firearms license, which would permit selling and working with firearms, as opposed to simply owning them. Read here for a more in-depth discussion of the nature of background checks in the purchase of firearms, and how they came to be.



Handgun Carry Permits

Most guns cannot be carried concealed, but many states have restrictive laws placed upon the sale and purchase of handguns specifically because they are concealable. Sometimes, these restrictions are focused upon carrying the handgun, and other times, they are focused upon the act of purchasing a handgun.

Regardless, determining the rules of handguns and handgun carry permits in your state will be important if you have any plans to purchase a handgun. Read this article for more information on the nature of concealed carry permits.



Firearms Safety Course

Some states require would-be gun owners to fulfill a firearms safety course in order to obtain their license. This is especially true in the case of concealed carry permits, as they carry with them a greater inherent danger.

Such training courses, however, even when not required, are very advisable for the would-be gun owner, as they ensure that he or she has all the necessary information on liability issues, on safety, and even on care and maintenance of the gun. Learn more about these safety courses within this article.



Fingerprinting, Payment, and License Issuance

Obtaining a gun license according to your state's laws can be an easy, quick process, but it can also involve any number of secondary requirements. Sometimes, you'll have to pay a fee for the license. Sometimes, you'll have to be fingerprinted by your local law enforcement agency, as a precaution.

Regardless, it always makes sense to find out what these procedures are and go through each and every one before buying your firearm. Having your firearms license before you purchase the gun is a very good policy, so visiting your local law enforcement agency to find out exactly what you have to do to make that happen is a good idea. Read this article for some more information and tips on how to complete the requirements for your gun license.