Could You Support 'Do-It-Yourself' Background Checks?

[ShotgunBlast]

As a firearms owner, I believe I have the responsibility that when it comes time to sell a firearm that I don't sell it to just anyone. However, that doesn't mean I believe the federal government should force its way into my private transaction. In addition, I don't have the right to force my belief onto other firearms owners. I know some of us only sell to CHP holders as a way to keep private transactions private while not selling to just anybody. Would this be an additional option worth supporting?

Getting a background check to buy a gun would be as easy as printing out an airplane boarding pass -- if Sen. Tom Coburn has his way.

Coburn's do-it-yourself background check plan -- which would expand the number of gun sales covered by background checks but also attempt to make them more user-friendly -- is one possible path forward for the gun safety legislation now stalled in the Senate.

Here's how Coburn's plan would work: A gun buyer would log in to a free federal web portal and enter some personal information. If the buyer passes the background check, he or she would get a multi-digit key code, good for 30 days, to print out and take to a seller. That seller would use the same portal to confirm the authenticity of the background check.

Still, critics say Coburn's plan relies too much on voluntary compliance by private sellers.

"It's unworkable," said Ladd Everitt of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, "and there would be no incentive for any private seller to do a background check under the legislation."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/poli ... s/2088479/

[FiremanBob]

NO. Regardless of the method of ersatz registration, it's none of the government's g-d d-mn business. It's that simple.

[Mindflayer]

I asked this same question earlier, ShotgunBlast - would you use an app that accessed NICS even if there was not registration? The answer was a resounding NO!

I still could see wanting to be sure the guy you're selling the gun to is not a felon, domestic violence perp, or insane.... but that's why I only sell to friends.

[Kreutz]

And when you try to access the website you'd find:

[ShotgunBlast]

Another casualty of sequester cutbacks!

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[ShotgunBlast]

Yeah, I understand only selling to people you know, but sometimes you're selling something they're not interested in.

Bob can you elaborate how this is registration? It was my impression from the critics of the proposal that information about what firearms are being sold would not be recorded.

If it's simply a check of the NICS database for a pass/fail, I could see myself using it. If they ask for firearm information in addition to the pass/fail, I wouldn't use it.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[VBshooter]

I would not use it.. Its too easy and likely the way the guv has been acting that they would maintain that database of gun buyers even though they may claim differently

[MarcSpaz]

I am going to come at this from both sides.

If you ever bought a new gun ever or purchased ammo using a credit card... the government has a record that you own (or have owned) a gun... period. You're on the list. LOL Boycotting stuff like this doesn't help you stay anonymous.

Based on our current laws, a criminal of a certain type has forfeited certain rights as a citizen of the US and the state of Virginia due to poor behavior. I don't see anything wrong with confirming that you have the right to own a weapon under current laws when you attempt to acquire one. BUT... the method used has to work. Prove to us that another method implemented would truly stop criminals from buying weapons and I would support it.

With that said, the truth is, people like us selling guns privately is not the problem. The existing laws are a deterrent, but "Straw Purchases" are known as the top source of guns used in crimes, followed by corrupt "work at home" FFL dealers selling guns illegally after reporting them lost or stolen.

They need to fix the existing enforcement issues before they toss new laws on the books that wont work.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I have long said that this type of thing is where gun owners need to guide legislation. It keeps private sales private(make the legislation clear as to be sure that no records of checks are kept) and takes care of the UCB issue. In the meantime use it to gain something. Maybe NFA freedom, importation freedom, reining in the ATF, ect. The list of things that could be traded are freaking endless and we all want those things done. None of that is happening in this congress or likely future ones without a little give from gun owners. The other option is we don't do anything they pass a UBC bill and then well we're really screwed. I understand the "No compromise" stance but at times you've got to realize when your facing the inevitable and UBCs might just be that.

[ShotgunBlast]

I have long said that this type of thing is where gun owners need to guide legislation. It keeps private sales private(make the legislation clear as to be sure that no records of checks are kept) and takes care of the UCB issue. In the meantime use it to gain something. Maybe NFA freedom, importation freedom, reining in the ATF, ect. The list of things that could be traded are freaking endless and we all want those things done. None of that is happening in this congress or likely future ones without a little give from gun owners. The other option is we don't do anything they pass a UBC bill and then well we're really screwed. I understand the "No compromise" stance but at times you've got to realize when your facing the inevitable and UBCs might just be that.

It's true that gun owners tend to play a lot more defense to keep what we have vs offense to gain back what was taken. I think the "no compromise" stance is more popular because quite honestly you shouldn't have to trade rights. On the other side, the gun grabbers aren't going to do any trades either because their objective is to get rid of guns. Once they have a foothold they're not going to trade it for something else. They'll just wait until the next legislative session to try and whittle away another piece. Their objective has no deadline, and those are the scariest ones.

[SHMIV]

There are already background check websites. They are used by prospective employers, prospective landlords, etc.

They have nothing to do with firearms, and cost about $30. If you wanted to do a personal background check without "flagging" yourself, that's the way to do it.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[skeeterss0]

I wouldn't mind a system where the potential seller could input the persons information and find out if he is able to own a gun in VA. The system needs not have any information that he is buying a gun or what type. That way there is no registration of the firearm and no database could be created except whose names have been searched within a set timeframe.

[Oakes]

Kinda like the way that Carry permits are done here in VA. Once I get my permit I can buy a handgun, rifle, shotgun and I'm left alone. Let the other states do this too and have reciprocity be the rule. A simple website check to see that it's still valid and all are happy.
I too worry that someone would get hurt if I ever decided to sell a gun, no matter how unlikely that would be!

[SHMIV]

I'm not too worried about who I may be inclined to sell a gun to. If a guy shows up that can't seem to keep the waist of his britches above his knees, and he keeps addressing me as "Dawg", I'm probably not going to sell him so much as a butter knife.

Discernment, gentlemen, discernment. We can also look for red flags in the way a potential buyer handles the gun when he inspects it. If you find yourself looking down the barrel of the gun you want to sell, perhaps that potential buyer just isn't the right guy to adopt it.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[GeneFrenkle]

Why is this such a "big deal"? If you are so concerned that you cannot see a concealed permit and va dl, don't sell it f2f. sell it at consignment at an ffl, sell it to a pawn broker, or pay a ffl to do it. Good Lord, this is making a mountain out of a molehill.

The key point is the Gov't has no business in one's day to day life and has no business interfering with one's private business if it's lawful.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[mk4]

Why is this such a "big deal"? If you are so concerned that you cannot see a concealed permit and va dl, don't sell it f2f. sell it at consignment at an ffl, sell it to a pawn broker, or pay a ffl to do it. Good Lord, this is making a mountain out of a molehill.

The key point is the Gov't has no business in one's day to day life and has no business interfering with one's private business if it's lawful.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

^^^ THIS! ^^^

[SHMIV]

I think some folks want to be sure that they aren't selling to a felon, while at the same time keeping private transaction, well, private.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[GeneFrenkle]

Concealed carry permit or voter registration card. Don't have, no sale, another buyer will have it/them. easy peasy. you can decide not to sell at any point, to include when you are at the meeting place. even with a check, no guarantees. value of information and all that.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[ShotgunBlast]

Voter ID card does not cover people with restraining orders on them or convicted of domestic abuse. Is that not worth taking into consideration?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[GeneFrenkle]

If in doubt, don't sell. restraining order takes time to sync through systems. no guarantee even with a background check. value of information.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]