According to the Giffords Law Center, a gun-control advocacy organization, 22 states have background check policies that go beyond federal requirements. The federal system, under the FBI’s supervision, mandates background checks on anyone purchasing a firearm from federal firearms licensees—typically specialist stores, pawn shops and other retailers.
Thirteen states require background checks on firearms purchased or transferred from unlicensed “private” sellers, such as sales made online or at gun shows. The District of Columbia only allows sales and transfers through federally-licensed dealers.
Some states, like Texas, don’t require background checks for such private sales. The Gifford Center estimates that 22% of gun owners made their most recent firearm purchase without a background check.