A note on the politics of gun manufacturer lobbying

[Craig234]

On the issue of background checks for gun buyers, you have 92% public support for universal checks.

A large majority of Democrats and Republicans, gun owners and non-owners, NRA members and non-members all are for it.

A bill was introduced in the Senate on the issue. The NRA opposes background checks. Zero Republicans are voting for it.

There aren't many clearer indications about the influence the money from gun manufacturers, laundered through the NRA, being stronger than voter opinion.

If they can't overcome 'special interests' on that, how will they on banking or tax policy?

 

[EagleKeeper]

They know what side of the toast gets buttrrrd

 

[Lithium381]

what was the exact effect of the bill? nobody i talked to wants to register their guns . . . > confiscation

 

[Craig234]

what was the exact effect of the bill? nobody i talked to wants to register their guns . . . > confiscation

That's the 'slippery slope' argument Republicans are using - it'll lead to confiscation!!

Here's an article:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politic...background-check-bill-20130312,0,771275.story

 

[Lithium381]

Then why don't we track people and not gun sales? Get a card once a year that you're clear to buy a gun. gets renewed every year. If you haven't done something idiotic in the past 12 months, it gets renewed. When buying a gun, just flash the card. Boom, now you know the person you're selling to is legit. that way we can check people's ability to own a gun without registration!

 

[Craig234]

Then why don't we track people and not gun sales? Get a card once a year that you're clear to buy a gun. gets renewed every year. If you haven't done something idiotic in the past 12 months, it gets renewed. When buying a gun, just flash the card. Boom, now you know the person you're selling to is legit. that way we can check people's ability to own a gun without registration!

Because it's not effective for crime solving. Not that Republicans would vote for it.

 

[beachchica]

I've been torn on this issue. On the one hand a quick background check might prevent the undesirables from buying a gun... Then again, if you're a criminal who won't pass a background check you're not going to buy your gun from a sporting goods store. Which means you're only checking people who are going to pass anyway and you haven't stopped anyone, making it a huge waste of money.

 

[Doppel]

I've been torn on this issue. On the one hand a quick background check might prevent the undesirables from buying a gun... Then again, if you're a criminal who won't pass a background check you're not going to buy your gun from a sporting goods store. Which means you're only checking people who are going to pass anyway and you haven't stopped anyone, making it a huge waste of money.

It would make it harder, though. I do think straw purchasing should come with a terrible sentence fwiw.

Overall I am against most of the laws being thrown around about guns, though. They are knee jerk and will do nothing but piss off people who are at no risk of ever doing anything nasty.

I predict universal background checks do happen eventually.

Given the vast examples of quotes by potential law makers on further limiting access to guns it is absolutely no wonder the average gun owner has zero interest in registration.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

That's the 'slippery slope' argument Republicans are using - it'll lead to confiscation!!

Here's an article:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politic...background-check-bill-20130312,0,771275.story

In my state there's good reason to mistrust the government. Those in power demonstrated their perfidious nature. We have no reason to trust them.

 

[Fern]

-snip-
Here's an article:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politic...background-check-bill-20130312,0,771275.story

We have already have background checks (the article says so).

I suppose this bill is concerned with private sales and gun shows. (In my state sales at gun shows ARE subject to background checks.)

I suspect the 'devil is in the details'. I.e., this bill has more than just subjecting gun shows and private sales to existing the background check system.

I've also not yet seen a good way that system can be extended to private parties.

Fern