# Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2023

This bill is a comprehensive package of gun regulations that would make significant changes to how firearms are bought, owned, and used in America. It covers everything from who can own guns to what types of weapons are allowed, and it includes new funding for violence prevention programs.

The most sweeping change would require anyone who wants to own a firearm or ammunition to get a federal license first. To qualify, you'd need to be at least 21 years old and complete firearms safety training that includes a written test about gun laws, hands-on firing practice to prove you can safely handle a weapon, and a background check. The government would have 40 days to approve or deny your application. Once you get a license, it would last for 10 years before you'd need to renew it. This is a major shift from current law, where most people can buy guns without a federal license—only licensed dealers need them now.

The bill also tightens background check requirements by making them universal (applying to all gun sales, not just those through licensed dealers) and adds a seven-day waiting period after you pass a background check before you can actually take the gun home. It raises the minimum age for buying firearms and ammunition from 18 to 21, and it requires gun owners to safely store their weapons—either in a locked safe or with a locking device—to prevent unauthorized access. Gun dealers would face new security requirements, more frequent inspections, and stricter record-keeping rules. If a gun is stolen from a shop, dealers would have to report it.

The bill bans what it defines as "assault weapons" and large-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than a certain number of rounds, and it prohibits firearm silencers and mufflers. People who already own these items could keep them, but they couldn't sell them to others. The bill also cracks down on "ghost guns"—untraceable firearms made from kits or 3D-printed—by requiring them to have serial numbers like regular guns. It increases penalties for people who illegally buy guns for others (called "straw purchases") and creates new crimes around gun trafficking.

On the prevention side, the bill funds community violence intervention programs in high-crime areas and provides money for research on gun violence and firearm safety—something that's been limited in recent years. It also increases taxes on firearms and ammunition, with the money going toward these prevention efforts. The bill makes it easier for people to sue gun manufacturers and dealers in certain situations by allowing gun trace information to be used in civil lawsuits.

Additionally, the bill creates "extreme risk protection orders," which allow courts to temporarily remove guns from people deemed to be in crisis or a danger to themselves or others. States would receive federal grants to set up these programs if they don't already have them.