CHECK SYSTEM NEEDS SIMPLIFICATION AND MODERNIZATION
MUST PROTECT PRIVACY AND NOT BE A REGISTRATION SYSTEM
NEW REAL ID
There is a continuous drumbeat of more gun control and background checks on all purchasers. This could be possible if the democrats were sincere in prohibiting felons and violent individuals from purchasing guns.
The present background check system was instituted in 1995. This is before the computer and internet age was part of our experience. It applied to commercial sales between licensed dealers and individuals. It did not apply to individual sales mostly because in some rural areas there could be possibly 100's of miles to the nearest dealer and was in reality unenforceable. It required filling out a form and answering questions and a signature as to its truthfulness. It is conducted over the telephone and a approval number is given to the dealer who marks it on the form. The form is kept with the dealer for as long as they are in business.
Sales concerning out of state purchases has been regulated since 1968. All sales outside the sellers state, whether a dealer or individual, the item must be shipped to a licensed dealer in the state of residence of the purchaser. The background check is then conducted by the dealer in that state. This law already covers internet sales. There seems to be a lot of misinformation on this matter.
Since 1995 there has been vast improvements and availability of the internet. With the new technology available it is now possible to simplify and improve the whole background check system. It would result in lower costs for the government regulators. Lower cost for purchasers. A saving of time and complexity for dealers and sellers. It could also cover all transactions rather than just commercial transactions.
Starting in October 2020, all state identification is going to be enhanced, you will not be able to fly without the new ID. This is an opportunity to include part of the enhanced background check into this system.
1. All those who anticipate buying a firearm anytime in the future would have a background check conducted. He would be issued a number that would be part of his enhanced ID.
2. At present, the Dept of Justice maintains a Licensed dealer e-z check database. All transactions involving shipments to dealers can be checked by putting part of his dealer number into the form and it verifies his address and validity of his license. A similar database could be created containing the name, address,and date of birth of all those who have passed a background check.
3. Any sales in the future by dealers and private individuals would be checked by this database. The new ID would need to be produced in person. The form would contain the purchasers info and time and date of the transaction. 2 copies would be printed and a copy kept by both the seller and purchaser. These papers would be kept by the dealers and individuals for future reference if needed. This database would be maintained as it is now and upgraded daily with changes in the status of those on the database.
4. This system would save money for the sellers, buyers and the regulators. It would also protect gun owners from having a database as to what guns they own, in effect a registration system. Any attempt at registration systems must be resisted to the maximum. It can only exist to create the ability of despots to disarm the populace.
5. Out of state or not face to face transactions would still need to be shipped to a dealer in the buyers state.
This system would be a vast improvement to present system, it would expand the checks and would be easily complied with. I believe compliance would be very high with such a system. Expanding the present system would undoubtedly have a very low compliance rate.
