When the FBI comes to your home town to interview your friends, family, even JR High Teachers you’ve been through a real background check.
3 Likes
If we saw the statistics of how many background checks were denied, my guess is it would be very low. Therefore, I think background checks mainly work as a deterrent to buy guns legally. This would cause a person who wants to do bad to buy illegally. However, if there were no background checks then it would be easier and legal for criminals to easily buy what they want and there would be more guns in criminal hands.
I guess, in my opinion, background checks are useful as:
-
It forces a criminal to buy illegally giving law enforcement a means to catch them.
-
If caught there are more charges that can be brought against the criminal.
-
When caught those firearms can be legally confiscated.
But on principle I’m opposed to background checks.
2 Likes
Great points, @David31! Glad to have you here!
1 Like
If the bad guy or the bad girl wonts a weapon they will get it without following the the legal way.
Only for the good guys and girls
2 Likes
Background checks do not work for the first time offender with no criminal record. 19 day wait periods serve no purpose if one already owns guns.
3 Likes
Glad to have you here, @Harold2! Does you state require a 19 day waiting period?
1 Like
I do not see in the Constitution where back round checks are required
4 Likes
I agree with the earlier comment that requiring a FFL to hand private party firearm sales protects both the buyer and seller.
In Colorado a background check is required for retail and pvt party purchases. So if I want to buy a firearm then I have to do the background check.
Let’s face it. Law abiding citizens will comply with laws. Criminals won’t. No law(s) will keep a criminal or mentally unstable person from getting a weapon (gun, knife, baseball bat, etc) if they want to do harm/threaten another person.
2 Likes
I believe background checks are important. But also criminals don’t by guns the legal way so background checks are pointless and part of big government that is not needed
2 Likes
Wonder how many of the politicians could pass a background check.
1 Like
Good point John
1 Like
Those are two things I point out continually to people I talk with about background checks, @Freddyack.
@John28 - very true as well.
@William8 - criminals are going to commit crimes with guns so why would committing another crime by buying a gun illegally stop them? Great point, William!
Glad to have you all here!
1 Like
Checks are only as good as what was entered in the system. Remember the person entering info is probably the lowest paid.
2 Likes
I have PTSD from my service. So that being a mental illness do you think I should be prevented from owning a gun?
1 Like
Background checks can discourage or catch criminals from walking in and buying a gun. If no background checks for anyone, criminals would just buy from a gun shop. Background checks do not take long, unless in Maryland and have a 7 day wait. This is senseless if you already own a gun. It’s supposed to be a cooling off period. Would anyone buy a new gun because they were mad and about to do something stupid? Or go home and get one they already own? Law abiding citizen would do neither. I don’t mind a quick check if it keeps criminals from buying at the local store. I do worry that the powers that be will one day abuse this power and use it against its law abiding citizens.
5 Likes
Background checks are for honest citizens just as Door locks and window locks are because most door and window locks will not keep a person who is set on getting into someone’ Home out. I will tell you in Illinois everyone with a FOID Card gets background by the Illinois State Police 360 Days per year. Except for Major Holidays. Everyone who owns a Concealed Carry License gets background checked 360 times each year, separately minus Major Holidays, so in other words in Illinois here I am Background checked 720 times each year. Background checks are only for honest people. Gang Bangers and Chicago Hood Thugs neither belong to the NRA or any other and they don’t have FOID Cards.
4 Likes
I live in Chicago, I was born and raised in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the city , most of the shootings that make the news are a couple mins drive from my front door I have had friends and close friends of my sons that have been the victims of this gun violence in the city. I am also an air force veteran and I believe in accountability, back ground checks will do nothing to stop the on going mayhem that plagues my city. What the politicians should do is make it easier for law abiding citizens to be able to defend themselves! The lost young men that are committing these crimes most times are not worried about the ramifications of any laws that are imposed. I believe the fundamental problem is one that is so far gone that no legislation will ever be able to fix it. IT ALL STARTS AT HOME. broken families have a big role to play in this , single mother households without the adequate male presence are making todays youth in the inner cities soft and emotional. This generation can’t get there feelings hurt or take an ass whooping so they revert to what they have been shown.
8 Likes
Not a 100% because guns can just about be bought anywhere if someone really needs one. So if that background failed and that person really want a weapon they going to get one
2 Likes
Rarely. In fact I don’t recall a situation reported where it was affective. Too many reported cases where the perp got a gun by less than honest means that bypassed the entire process. Hence the definition of law breaker applies.
2 Likes
Does it alter how you perceive reality, @William8? Can you distinguish what is real vs. hallucinations? Those are the types of mental illness can I’d be concerned about. If someone cannot tell what is real or a figment of their mind, is it safe for them to have a firearm?
Just to be clear, I am not advocating not allowing people who have had mental illnesses to own a gun.
Where do you stand on it, @William8?
2 Likes