In keeping with the tone of the times, it seems like states are moving forward in enforcing background checks for prospective gun buyers. This is one of those hot button issues that is argued vehemently on both ends. Nevertheless, this issues was given new life when New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, initiated an undercover operation where private investigators posing as questionable gun buyers were told at the New York Gun Shows that they really wouldn’t need to undergo a background check. In fact, in some cases, firearms vendors at these gun shows told them they would not even need to provide authentic identification.
Groups of mayors, Church Groups, and Law Enforcement have all appealed to Congress to pass laws requiring background checks for firearms sales at gun shows and just about everywhere else. Naturally, there are some who believe this is an infringement of their rights. I have no desire to argue the merits of either perspective.
What I do know is that according to Chicago’s Channel 2 News, the federal government just awarded the State of Illinois a $1.2 million dollar grant so the state could beef up its participation in the system of National Background Checks for prospective gun buyers. Hits on the background check for mental health issues or for criminal records allow the FBI to deny gun ownership to those they deem ineligible.
This is a subject about which I have written on different occasions. One such article was entitled, Law Enforcement Asks Congress to Require Background Checks for Gun Buys. I am sure I will be reporting up dates as time permits.
