The Gun Control Act of 1968 (also known as GCA, and codified as Chapter 44 of Title 18, United States Code) was the first federal law in the U.S to broadly regulate the firearms industry and firearms owners.
The GCA was enacted after several years of contentious debate. It primarily focuses on regulating interstate commerce in firearms by generally prohibiting interstate firearms transfers except among licensed manufacturers, dealers and importers. The GCA incorporated several earlier laws and regulations into a comprehensive system of industry licensing and recordkeeping under the supervision of the federal government.
The GCA also prohibits firearms ownership by certain broad categories of individuals thought to pose a threat to public safety, such as convicted felons, drug users, mental incompetents and others. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 created a national background check system to prevent firearms sales to such "prohibited persons."
Finally, various provisions of the GCA regulate firearms in greater detail, by banning certain types of firearms and regulating firearms possession in certain areas such as school zones and federal government buildings.
The GCA also includes penalties for violations and for use of firearms in crime.
