The NICS was an attempt to keep guns out of the hands of those who were prohibited from possessing guns. It has generally failed to do this. Recordkeeping failures by registrars, police departments, mental health agencies and others leave many large gaps in the database. Many who misuse firearms have none of the disqualifying events in their history. Many use a straw purchaser. Many will steal or buy from persons who stole guns. Some will make guns. Some may use weapons that are not guns as defined in federal law. And some may resort to other means to accomplish their mission, such as running over someone with a car, placing them in fear with a replica, or setting their residence afire. What will extending a failed process accomplish? Nothing. The same as stacking more laws on top of existing laws that are not enforced or effective.
We should be willing to discuss methods of reducing the incidence of injury by people with bad intent. But we should not agree to extending processes that have been proven ineffective.
Never a compromise? Recall that the NFA was originally intended to cover handguns as well as machine guns and other guns used by criminals. The proponents couldn't get that done, so took handguns out and silencers in. Think what it would be like to have all handguns restricted as silencers and short barrel rifles are now.
We should be willing to discuss methods of reducing the incidence of injury by people with bad intent. But we should not agree to extending processes that have been proven ineffective.
Never a compromise? Recall that the NFA was originally intended to cover handguns as well as machine guns and other guns used by criminals. The proponents couldn't get that done, so took handguns out and silencers in. Think what it would be like to have all handguns restricted as silencers and short barrel rifles are now.
