From Jacobin:

Gun violence is a major problem in the United States, and calls for lawmakers to “do something” in response to lives lost are certainly understandable. Unfortunately, “doing something” tends to involve passing more criminal statutes, imposing longer prison sentences, or further empowering police officers. In many jurisdictions, police and sheriffs hold almost unfettered discretion in determining who can obtain a license to own or possess a handgun. Licensing requirements frequently rely on criminal records, which in turn reflect race- and class-based disparities in enforcement.