So, at first glance being background checked and approved to purchase a firearm may seem ok to some. However, the proposal is being fingerprinted and background checked administered by local law enforcement who will then provide the information to a unspecified Federal agency and database.
hmm...Since all 50 States issue CCW licenses (in some format) wouldn't you think that some sort of system ALREADY exists and that we should utilize that? Every CCW license holder that I know of has already had both fingerprints and background check done. This information/mechanism is redundant. Not to mention the wait and fees involved.
Additionally, what happens when you purchase a firearm at a dealer? A background check is done. The exact SAME background check that would be for the "gun owner license" and waiting period depending on your state.
Seem redundant? Yet, no one has talked about replacing or retiring the current system for this new one.
So, let me get this straight...
- Want to have a firearm? Get gun owners license: apply, fingerprints, background check, pay, wait
- Want to buy a firearm? Get gun owners license, background check, pay, wait if applicable to your state
- Want to carry a firearm? Get gun owners license, apply, fingerprints, background check, pay, wait
You see what they have done here? There is not even the premise of reducing crime, it is simply to discourage people from having firearms by increasing the wait times and increasing the process and government bureaucracy required to process it. Oh, and in addition to your home state having your information, now so does local law enforcement and the Federal Government in their own separate databases. That's efficient.
Does that sound like a compromise???
How about this for a compromise:
I will support a "gun owner license" by going through a background, fingerprint, photo, paying, waiting, etc. *IF* that license is SHALL issue (meaning it will be approved there is a clear objective criteria) and it entitles to own, purchase, and carry a firearm without going through the whole process again in ALL 50 States.
That should be a reasonable compromise right? After all, wasn't the real goal to make sure that people were qualified and legal to own firearms?
