America's Gun Violence

mace1229 said:

I am a little confused. Isn't registration already a requirement?
Some states it is easier to not register a handgun, but it is still required. I believe some states allow you to do a private party sale between 2 people and the buyer is responsible for sending in paper work. It would be easy not to, but it is still required.
I would be for strict regulations that make that tougher. Many states require all gun transfers go through an authorized dealer. But even then there is a lot of room for improvement to make it easier and more efficient for both the buyer and state. Less efficiency means wasted time and money.

It depends on the State as the previous reply mentions, federally the ATF has form 4473 that is filled out with every licensed transaction. You can't just go across State lines to circumvent another State law, that is a lie spread by the anti gun crowd. Straw purchasing is illegal already as well. The paperwork clearly states all of the laws, it is the uneducated that continue to spread mistruths.

Which law is that?

Every gun purchased through an FFL has paperwork saying who bought it and what it is.

Private party sales laws vary from State to State.

mace1229 said:

It was my understanding that whatever state you are from a new gun is purchased through the FFL dealer who then gives than info the ATF. I wouldn't be surprised if none of it was electronic, but there is a record of every new gun sold.
But then could vary state by state after that. I did think that even private party transfer did require some paperwork in all states, but apparently there are some where none is needed?
What law is designed to be unenforceable?
I've never heard of not having to show ID when buying a gun, so I really don't think there is a way around that law of crossing state lines to buy one easier. There are serious penalties for straw purchasing, and no one would want their name tied to a gun that was purchased illegally anyway.

Technically there is a paper record of every "new" gun sold unless you buy at a gun show (gunshow loophole) where all dealers have to do is check for appropriate age/state identification and do an instant background check (unless you already have your CHL). Nothing is given to the ATF unless they specifically ask for an FFLs records. There are no paperwork or identification requirements for individual transfers or trades in TX, although you could be held liable for knowingly selling to someone out of state and purposely buying firearms to sell to someone that couldn't normally buy is illegal (straw purchasers). I'll agree with what others said, many laws are pretty much unenforceable and are "feel good" laws to please gun control supporters or so politicians can "say" they support gun control for constituents approval.

unsung said:

The gunshow loophole is another myth. If the seller is an FFL they have to produce paperwork of the transaction. Now a private person can sell there too but many show promoters are going away from that. Plus the internet makes most of that antiquated when you can just meet directly.

There are still plenty in TX flying under the "secondary party" rule at gun shows. I think every state has different regulations surrounding gun show sales as well. I don't even think they have to do a background check if they are selling under the "secondary party" rule, they just ask for valid state ID and sell away. Some people are okay with this within the gun owner community and others are not.

mace1229 said:

I grew up in CA where the laws are too strict. Too strict in that they just waste time and money because they are not very efficient. You can buy 3 used guns at the same time, but they will be 3 different background checks, and you end up spending $150 in registration fees as a result, which is seen by many as the state's way to detract people from buying guns if they have to do all this paperwork every time. But you can buy 10 long rifles and they are somehow able to do the background check all at once for those, and pay 1 fee no matter how many you buy.Gun show loopholes were done away in the 80s over there.
It makes sense to me to require registration for all transfer of guns, there shouldn't be private party or gun show loopholes for anyone.

I am on the fence when it comes to registration. That registration may lead to confiscating is the argument I hear most against it, which I cannot say is an invalid fear. I'm not sure I would want the government deciding what I can and cannot pass down to my children either. I still think that the resources would be better allocated towards disbanding gangs and criminal enterprises that are violent in general...if you are truly wanting to reduce violence.

unsung said:

Let me pose a question.

Should an individual be able to seek professional psychological help in a situation and not worry about having his, or her, firearms taken away if they are not deemed to be a hazard to themselves or others?

Yes, but the whole "not worry" thing gets blown out of proportion by paranoia.

unsung said:

rgambs said:

unsung said:

Let me pose a question.

Should an individual be able to seek professional psychological help in a situation and not worry about having his, or her, firearms taken away if they are not deemed to be a hazard to themselves or others?

Yes, but the whole "not worry" thing gets blown out of proportion by paranoia.

So a person that owns firearms should have due process afforded before their personal property is seized?

Yes, I believe they should.
I do not believe they should be afforded due process in acquiring the firearms to begin with.

unsung said:

Well good, the first part anyway.

The second part is why we won't register.

Unfortunately there us a State Senator in my State that thinks that an accusation of assault is enough to have your guns taken away and she has introduced legislation to do so.

There are certainly those radical folks out there, but they won't overwhelm common sense.