Dems’ gun-control agenda: Offer a big package or a bunch of smaller bills?
Improvements in background checks would be the easiest to pass in Congress if the proposed changes don’t get gummed up with more controversial elements like the much maligned assault weapons ban. Background checks have been identified by gun control advocates as the best way to curb gun violence. Forty percent of gun sales take place at private gun shows where no background checks are required, and 19 states don’t send names to the national database that identifies people who are legally prohibited from owning guns–drug abusers, convicted felons, people with restraining orders on them, etc.
Even so, lawmakers are also focusing on assault weapons, ammunition, video games, and mental health issues. Democrats have yet to tip their hand on how they will proceed: Either to insist on a big package that could be shot down by opponents or offer individual slices of the package, which may doom some ideas but bolster others. Democratic lawmakers and aides have said they want to make sure their response to the Newton, Conn., massacre and other gun crimes is wide-reaching, encompassing mental health and violent imagery in the media as well as gun restrictions. But they also want to be pragmatic.
Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., sits on a House Democratic task force on guns. He told National Journal that he would prefer to deal with background checks first, since it has the broadest support, and tackle other issues after that. “There’s evidence that in certain states where they tightend their background checks, they dramatically reduced the gun crimes. That would be the fastest way to make an impact,” he said. But he also acknowledged that he would support whatever package Democratic leaders adopt, and he doesn’t have the final word on these decisions.
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Background checks are a huge waste of time and resources, and end up classifying someone who went to a diversionary program at age 18 instead of jail for possession of weed as a “drug abuser” who cannot own guns, and do nothing to stop criminals from getting guns.
Also, background checks are required any time a DEALER sells guns anywhere, including a gun show.
They’re talking about me selling my gun to my buddy for $300. So, effectively, they want to make private sales illegal. It’s just a way to slowly round up and register every gun in the country.
But yeah, national journal, don’t worry about the facts, they’re not important.
Timin203 on January 11, 2013 at 1:29 PM
So, will we be getting rid of the requirement to show ID when buying a gun because it disproportionately keeps minorities and the elderly from exercising their RKBA?
PersonFromPorlock on January 11, 2013 at 1:37 PM
Ooh, I like that idea.
Timin203 on January 11, 2013 at 1:41 PM
Go for the whole enchilada, you know you want to. Gun violence is out of control in this country. Last year the UK only had seven gun deaths and America had 68,000.
arnold ziffel on January 11, 2013 at 1:48 PM
From where do they keep getting this BS? Last week I went to a gun show and they were doing background checks well past closing time. One dealer had 15 employees who did nothing all day but nonstop background checks.
James on January 11, 2013 at 1:49 PM
The reason the President is already talking about using executive orders is because he doesn’t have the votes because the American are not for it.
cw10036 on January 11, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Seeing this presser with OBarkey & Karzai ~ inquiring minds want to know:
Will the Afghans have to give up their 30-round/hi-cap mags ?
/.
CaveatEmpty on January 11, 2013 at 2:05 PM
Background checks are a huge waste of time and resources,
Timin203 on January 11, 2013 at 1:29 PM
One moron in MA suggested the we tighten the background checks to include all private sales including illegal ones. One thing that this whole gun thing has convinced me of is how unbelievably stupid the gun grabbers are. For some reason I can not fathom liberals think criminals will obey the new laws. I was listening to public radio out of Boston last week and one of the talking heads suggested establishing “crime free zones”. I would like too think he was joking but I just wasn’t sure.
Dr. Frank Enstine on January 11, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Any gun control bill is DOA in the House, and they know it.
It’s all smoke and mirrors for when 0bama dictates his policy through executive orders, afer the bills are shot down.
Rebar on January 11, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Thank God for Democrats. The article told me they want to ban high capacity ammo. That stuff is truly the biggest threat to our children. Think of the children!
Abacab on January 11, 2013 at 2:37 PM
I like it.
Remember Clintons surgeon general saying we needed “safer bullets” back in the 90s? Turns out a lot of people thought it was a good idea.
Timin203 on January 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM