Gun Control Act

What gun control act means

Put simply, gun control act is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.

Where gun control act comes up

The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.

Read the source: Federal gun laws guide.

How to research the term

To research gun control act, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.

You can read the current federal court rules online for free.

Related legal terms

• Grant deed: a deed used in California and some other states in which the grantor, by using the word "grant" to convey the property, makes two promises implied by law unless the deed says otherwise: that the grantor has not already conveyed the property or any interest in it to someone else, and that the property is free from encumbrances made or allowed by the grantor or anyone claiming under the grantor (Cal.
• Grantor trust: for federal income tax purposes, a trust whose income is taxed to the grantor (settlor) because the grantor keeps certain powers or interests, under 26 U.S.C. §§ 671 to 679. A revocable trust is usually a grantor trust.
• Guardian: a person appointed by a court with the legal authority and duty to care for another person, called a ward — such as a minor or an adult who cannot manage his or her own affairs — or the ward's property.
• Guilty: responsible for a crime. A defendant becomes guilty in the legal sense by pleading guilty or by being found guilty at trial beyond a reasonable doubt. In federal court, a judge must make sure a guilty plea is voluntary and has a factual basis before accepting it (Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b)).

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.