Year after year, PTA members advocate for sensible gun safety and violence prevention policies that will help keep children safe. National PTA believes policies and legislation must include but not be limited to:  

• Fund research on the causes and effects of gun violence on youth and communities, as well as evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence
• Establish education programs to teach students, parents and community members about gun safety and violence prevention
• Fund research of “Smart guns” that fire only after a fingerprint or a PIN is entered, or if used near a particular bracelet  

Given the history and tradition of strong support for the safety and protection of children and   youth, PTA supports federal restrictions on firearms that would:  
 
• Require a waiting period and comprehensive background check for all individuals prior to purchasing a firearm, to screen out illegal firearm purchasers such as convicted felons, violent misdemeanors including domestic assaults, and drug-related offenders;  
• Restrict internet gun sales, including kits that can be used to make and modify guns;
• Ban the sale of Ghost Guns1;
• Tighten enforcement of laws on straw purchases2 of weapons, and institute some limits on how many guns can be purchased in a month;
• Institute a background check for ammunition purchases;
• Ban bump stocks, military-style semi-automatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines;
• Require knowledge of appropriate firearms use and safety practices, including safe gun and ammunition storage.  

Adopted: by the 1990 Board of Directors
Reviewed: by the 1993 and 1998 Convention Resolutions Committee
Amended: by the 2021 Board of Directors