I've heard this arguement before. But the fact is, if criminals obeyed the law, then there would be no crime. So how is making stiffer laws against guns gonna help?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the background check. Matter of fact, when I purchased my first gun, I went into the gun store, picked out my gun, filled out this paperwork and gave it to the salesman. He made a 2 minute phone call and told me that I checked out. I then walked out of the store with new gun and ammo to boot. Then, since I wanted to be able to carry it concealed, I went to the court and practically filled out the same paperwork for the the same charge. I then had to wait 2 months for my gun permit to be mailed to me. I thought 2 months was a little long, but given anyone's state court system, I could see it taking a while to process.
But let's say I was not mentally sane in order to buy it legally. All I have to do is go to a gun show! You walk in with cash and you walk out with a gun! And usually is a used gun that has had many owners so if it's used in a crime and found, the police can only track back to the original owner at the store he bought it from. "Why, I sold that gun 10 years ago officer!"
Last but not least, there's the low down way to purchase a gun. From someone that sells them in the back alley. Usually, these are guns that aren't dependable normally and/or usually stolen from cars, RV's, etc. If you know where to find guys that sells guns out of the trunk of thier car, chances are you do some criminal activity.
So, in closing...
1)in my view we should have a more functional evaluation system. Almost ever police agency uses different software and then every court system is about the same. That means it's not always a simple point and click to check if someone checks out ok to purchase a gun. With computers even at deputy dawg's sherrif station, you'd think we'd be more up to date.
2) Get rid of the gun shows. The only way someone should be able to sell a gun is to a reputable gun dealer...who should take down the serial of the gun and report to some agency that thier business no holds the gun for sale. Once they sale it, transfer of ownership occurs just like it does now.
3) Every new gun owner gets a permit...period! Hell, it makes it easier to purchase new guns and you don't have to pay the fee to get checked out again. Then, every state has to be able to access every other's permit records. Surprisingly, that doesn't happen today which means having a permit in your state may not work in another state.
Looking in the news today, seems like the VT shooter was labeled by the court system as being a danger to himself and to others in 2005. That goes right back to #1 being checked more thoroughly.
