Hawkeye755
Member
From the Cedar Rapids Gazette Feb 12th page 6A
Gun Restrictions Planned
Coalition proposes background check on all weapon sales.
DES MOINES A group seeking to reduce injuries caused by guns proposed Tuesday that all gun sales in Iowa be handled by federally licensed dealers who are required to conduct criminal background checks on everyone who buys a gun
The prospects for the proposal aren't good, acording to lawmakers, and gun dealers aren't sure they want to get involved in person-to-person sales.
The Iowa Colation to Prevent Firearm Injury proposed that Iowa require all secondary gun sales - gun shows, flea markets, estate sales, and Internet and classified sales - be subject to the same criminal background check as those sales conducted in gun shops.
About 40 percent of gun transfers occurr on secondary markets without background checks, according to Peg Bouska of Iowa City, a physicians assistant at University Hospitals ans secretary of the Iowa Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsability.
That's like letting 40 percent of airline passengers board planes without going through metal detecors, Bouska said.
The coalition conceded it faces an uphill battle.
"I'd like to think it would pass this year, but it takes a long time to talk to the senators and representatives and get their support," said John Johnson of Cedar Rapids, executive director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence. "So we know this is going to be a long haul."
He's right, according to Rep Gene Maddox, R-Clive, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who doubts that even if the coalition finds a sponserit will get a hearing this year. Maddox formerly chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, which two years ago approved a similar measure. It was never debated by the full Senate.
Matt Schrantz, Manager of Fin & Feather in Cedar Rapids, doesn't think he would want to get involved in private gun transfersand is certain it would increase the costs of sales.
"You know how paperwork works," Schrantz said. "You have to do it, but you never make any money. If Uncle Larry and Cousin Bob want to exchange guns, we'd have to charge something to cover our time.
The only thing that suprised me about this article was that it wasn't on the front page. This just goes to show that the Anti's are still hard at work so we need to be doing the same. Anyone from Iowa needs to be sure they are doing what they can to remind the Legislature that we are still here and care about our rights.
Gun Restrictions Planned
Coalition proposes background check on all weapon sales.
DES MOINES A group seeking to reduce injuries caused by guns proposed Tuesday that all gun sales in Iowa be handled by federally licensed dealers who are required to conduct criminal background checks on everyone who buys a gun
The prospects for the proposal aren't good, acording to lawmakers, and gun dealers aren't sure they want to get involved in person-to-person sales.
The Iowa Colation to Prevent Firearm Injury proposed that Iowa require all secondary gun sales - gun shows, flea markets, estate sales, and Internet and classified sales - be subject to the same criminal background check as those sales conducted in gun shops.
About 40 percent of gun transfers occurr on secondary markets without background checks, according to Peg Bouska of Iowa City, a physicians assistant at University Hospitals ans secretary of the Iowa Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsability.
That's like letting 40 percent of airline passengers board planes without going through metal detecors, Bouska said.
The coalition conceded it faces an uphill battle.
"I'd like to think it would pass this year, but it takes a long time to talk to the senators and representatives and get their support," said John Johnson of Cedar Rapids, executive director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence. "So we know this is going to be a long haul."
He's right, according to Rep Gene Maddox, R-Clive, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who doubts that even if the coalition finds a sponserit will get a hearing this year. Maddox formerly chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, which two years ago approved a similar measure. It was never debated by the full Senate.
Matt Schrantz, Manager of Fin & Feather in Cedar Rapids, doesn't think he would want to get involved in private gun transfersand is certain it would increase the costs of sales.
"You know how paperwork works," Schrantz said. "You have to do it, but you never make any money. If Uncle Larry and Cousin Bob want to exchange guns, we'd have to charge something to cover our time.
The only thing that suprised me about this article was that it wasn't on the front page. This just goes to show that the Anti's are still hard at work so we need to be doing the same. Anyone from Iowa needs to be sure they are doing what they can to remind the Legislature that we are still here and care about our rights.