Bill Overview
Title: Traveler's Gun Rights Act
Description: This bill allows an individual who does not have a physical residence in a state to use the address for a private mailbox or post office box maintained by that individual for purposes of obtaining a firearm from a federally licensed dealer.
Sponsors: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals who use private mailboxes or PO boxes for firearm purchases
Estimated Size: 700000
- The bill affects individuals seeking to purchase firearms.
- Specifically targets individuals who do not have a physical residence in a state but want to purchase firearms.
- Utilizes private mailbox addresses or PO Boxes for firearm purchase eligibility, likely appealing to travelers or people without permanent homes.
- The global firearm ownership is estimated to be 875 million, of which 393 million are in the U.S.
Reasoning
- The budget limits the scale at which the policy can be implemented, focusing primarily on individuals who are transient and utilize mail services for their living arrangements.
- The target population of 700,000 people is relatively niche, making it easier to focus on key areas like states with higher transient populations.
- The effectiveness and impact of the policy depend heavily on local attitudes towards firearms and mail services.
- Costs will involve administrative setup, security checks, and possibly interfacing with mail service providers.
Simulated Interviews
Freelance Software Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like the idea of having the option to buy a firearm even without a permanent address.
- This addresses a gap in the law for travelers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Travel Blogger (Flagstaff, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could make it easier for me to ensure my safety while traveling.
- I probably won't be heavily impacted as I rarely stay in one place for too long.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Digital Nomad (Bozeman, MT)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate that this addresses residences people like me use.
- It's a significant step to being more inclusive of non-traditional lifestyles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Graphic Designer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might consider buying a firearm for peace of mind when traveling in remote areas.
- This policy simplifies the legality issues for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Portland, OR)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to firearms while not having a permanent home is crucial for my safety.
- This aligns with my needs as an often traveler.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is probably not very relevant to me right now.
- I think it helps those who have the need but doesn't affect my day-to-day.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Event Coordinator (Miami, FL)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel more secure when I know I can own a firearm while moving around.
- This policy reflects the realities of modern working life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Backcountry Guide (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For those of us in remote areas frequently, this policy provides peace of mind.
- I'm glad to see it catered to unique living conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Environmental Consultant (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm unsure if this policy will affect me much now, but it's comforting to know it's available.
- More relevant for my colleagues who may own firearms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Freelance Writer (Nashville, TN)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt I will use this policy, but it's a good option for those who want it.
- I wonder about the implications on local communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $4800000 (Low: $2800000, High: $6800000)
Year 3: $4700000 (Low: $2600000, High: $6700000)
Year 5: $4500000 (Low: $2500000, High: $6500000)
Year 10: $4000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $6000000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- Impact on interstate firearm transactions and regulations.
- Potential interstate challenges due to varying state laws on firearm purchases.
- Effect on federal background check systems and processes.
- Increased demand for data management and verification technologies given potential growth in non-standard address usage.