“Universal” background checks are anything but universal. Criminals don’t bother. Which is why we see only modest changes in some states that passed such laws, though the average of all such states shows a tiny increase in gun murders. That tiny increase was significantly lower than in states without such laws. Take-aways A small net increase in gun homicide rates (all things being equal) after passing universal background checks A tiny but larger increase in the same period for state that lacked such laws There were significant, concurrent anti-crime initiatives during some enactment periods which muddies the picture The Concept and The Reality “Universal” background checks impose a requirement on private gun buyers and sellers to conduct a background check on the buyer as would occur in a gun store. This is a case of “nibbling around the edges.” The Bureau of Justice Statistics tells us