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So why did the NRA have a change of heart regarding background checks, seems like that would be an area for middle ground.
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National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre may believe enforcing universal background checks for all firearm purchases is basically pointless, but the nation’s leading gun lobby once took a very different position on the issue.
In fact, in 1999, the NRA took out an advertisement in which the group specifically said, “We think it’s reasonable to provide for instant checks at gun shows just like at gun stores and pawn shops.”
The advertisement, posted online by ThinkProgress, is based off testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee that was delivered by LaPierre himself. In the same testimony, delivered in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shooting, he boasted that the NRA was an early supporter of what ultimately became the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.Although federal law requires prospective gun owners to undergo mandatory criminal background checks, the requirement is far from universal.
Gun control advocates have been targeting the so-called gun show loophole, which allows individuals to purchase firearms without undergoing a check, a policy critics say has allowed firearms to get in the hands of felons, substance abusers and individuals with mental disorders
There are background checks at gun shows, and the NRA still supports them. What you are referring to as the "gun show loophole" is actually a section of the law that provides for private individuals to sell to other private individuals. Vendors that are displaying at gun shows are required to perform background checks on purchasers.
If honesty were a part of politics, this would be referred to as a "private sale loophole" and leave gun shows out of the description. The only reason that gun shows are part of the equation is that private individuals who wish to sell firearms sometimes go to gun shows in order to do so, since that's where their market is. These private individuals are not licensed firearms dealers, are not allowed to set up within the premises of the gun show, and are not subject to the same regulations that licensed dealers are subject to. Basically, the private sale of a firearm is treated much the same as the private sale of any other commodity. Private individuals are not subject to the same regulations when selling an automobile as car dealers are, either.
Then again, if honesty were part of politics, people wouldn't be referring to semi-auto rifles as "assault weapons", now would they?
There are background checks at gun shows, and the NRA still supports them. What you are referring to as the "gun show loophole" is actually a section of the law that provides for private individuals to sell to other private individuals. Vendors that are displaying at gun shows are required to perform background checks on purchasers.
If honesty were a part of politics, this would be referred to as a "private sale loophole" and leave gun shows out of the description. The only reason that gun shows are part of the equation is that private individuals who wish to sell firearms sometimes go to gun shows in order to do so, since that's where their market is. These private individuals are not licensed firearms dealers, are not allowed to set up within the premises of the gun show, and are not subject to the same regulations that licensed dealers are subject to. Basically, the private sale of a firearm is treated much the same as the private sale of any other commodity. Private individuals are not subject to the same regulations when selling an automobile as car dealers are, either.
Then again, if honesty were part of politics, people wouldn't be referring to semi-auto rifles as "assault weapons", now would they?
My understanding is that many private sales take place at gun shows, not necessarily through registered dealers but they do occur. Also some unsavory dealers at gun shows.
Private sales can take place at some gun shows in some states. In my state (WA) it's legal, but most gun shows choose to limit firearm sales to members only, and members must undergo a background check.
It's a tiny segment of the market and almost never figures into the problems we have with mass shootings. Maybe that's why the NRA has changed their tune. Wouldn't it make much more sense to try to devise some measures that conceivably could have prevented, Aurora, Sandy Hook, Tucson AZ, etc???
Maybe the NRA wants to actually solve the problem--what a concept!
Judging from your posts, I doubt you've ever even been to a gun show and probably never touched a real firearm. Instant checks are not and never have been Universal Background Checks. But then, you really don't care, do you?
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Originally Posted by Goodnight
My understanding is that many private sales take place at gun shows, not necessarily through registered dealers but they do occur. Also some unsavory dealers at gun shows.
I'm pretty 'meh' when it comes to the 'universal background check' idea. If it were to go thru, it's not the end of the world. I wouldn't vote for it were I a congress critter, but I wouldn't put a whole lot of energy into stopping it either.
But it wouldn't have prevented Sandy Hook. Wouldn't it make more sense to first try to come up with fixes that would have, or at least might have? I just don't get it. It's like you've got a car that keeps crashing due to bad brakes, and the left insists that the first thing to do is to replace the car stereo system.
Individuals are never going to bother asking other individuals for a background check. If I have a gun and want to sell it to my brother, neighbor, co-worker, there will be no background check.
Who cares what the NRA once supported? They dont represent all gun owners.
Im against backround checks.
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