A local libertarian in Colorado is advocating the the background checks for firearms be delegated to the FBI and not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. According to an article in the Denver Daily News, the CBI has its known has been conducting background checks, but now the idea is to reduce the budget by turning the responsibility over to the Feds.
The CBI budget for background checks, as it stands is $1.7 million, annually. This hardly seems like a lot of money, considering that supporters of the CBI claim that the investigative service does a better job. According to the article, Colorado handed over its background checks for firearms to the FBI back in 1999. The FBI subsequently approved one applicant, although the Colorado courts had a restraining order against him for physical violence. The applicant later used the gun that was approved for purchase to kill his three children.
Supporters of the CBI claim that it may take a little longer for the CBI to turn around the criminal background checks. But since the state bureau is thorough in its handling the background searches, the money is well spent.
I would tend to agree. People can wait an extra period to be sanctioned to buy firearms. With all the gun violence out there a little precaution to help protect the public is always a worthwhile investment.
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