Stricter rules on gun purchases take effect next week
The Associated Press
September 25, 2003 12:58 PM
INDIANAPOLIS -- Federal background checks will be required for every buyer of a handgun in Indiana under new rules that take effect next week.
The changes will alter a decade-old practice in which handgun owners faced a federal check only when renewing a state permit to carry a gun. Those permits must be renewed every four years.
Indiana State Police say the stricter rules, which will take effect Wednesday, will keep the state in compliance with the 1994 Brady Law and new federal laws that limit handgun purchases to U.S. citizens and legal immigrants.
"It's possible for the state to approve somebody by state laws that won't be eligible (to buy a gun) by federal laws," Paul Simmerman, owner of Albro Guns on the city's southeast side, told The Indianapolis Star.
But some gun dealers say the rules are flawed and require more steps for the same effect. The background check requirement will add up to 20 minutes to transactions, and it applies to gun shops and to dealers who set up booths at gun shows.
Currently, state and federal background checks are not required if a customer shows a valid permit. Without a permit, one call to state police now takes care of both checks.
But under the new rules, dealers will have to call the FBI directly for every customer. And for those who lack a permit, dealers also will have to call police for the state check.
Last year, state and FBI background checks resulted in the rejection of 1.7 percent of 7.8 million prospective gun buyers nationally, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
According to state police, 16,608 checks initiated in Indiana resulted in 294 rejections. About 320,000 Hoosiers have permits to carry handguns.
Maj. Tony Sommer, a staff attorney for state police, said the new rules would ensure that Indiana gun buyers meet all federal guidelines. Currently, state police do not check immigration status for every purchase.
Federal rules are also stricter on sales of handguns to those against whom protective orders have been issued and those convicted of domestic violence.
"We are not in a position to enforce all these provisions, because they're not in state law," Sommer said.
A bill closing the gap between the state and federal rules _ and keeping gun permits as a substitute for checks _ passed the state Senate but died in the House this year. Its sponsor, Sen. Richard Bray, R-Martinsville, said he might reintroduce it.
The new rules will still allow purchases every day of the week.
The Associated Press
September 25, 2003 12:58 PM
INDIANAPOLIS -- Federal background checks will be required for every buyer of a handgun in Indiana under new rules that take effect next week.
The changes will alter a decade-old practice in which handgun owners faced a federal check only when renewing a state permit to carry a gun. Those permits must be renewed every four years.
Indiana State Police say the stricter rules, which will take effect Wednesday, will keep the state in compliance with the 1994 Brady Law and new federal laws that limit handgun purchases to U.S. citizens and legal immigrants.
"It's possible for the state to approve somebody by state laws that won't be eligible (to buy a gun) by federal laws," Paul Simmerman, owner of Albro Guns on the city's southeast side, told The Indianapolis Star.
But some gun dealers say the rules are flawed and require more steps for the same effect. The background check requirement will add up to 20 minutes to transactions, and it applies to gun shops and to dealers who set up booths at gun shows.
Currently, state and federal background checks are not required if a customer shows a valid permit. Without a permit, one call to state police now takes care of both checks.
But under the new rules, dealers will have to call the FBI directly for every customer. And for those who lack a permit, dealers also will have to call police for the state check.
Last year, state and FBI background checks resulted in the rejection of 1.7 percent of 7.8 million prospective gun buyers nationally, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
According to state police, 16,608 checks initiated in Indiana resulted in 294 rejections. About 320,000 Hoosiers have permits to carry handguns.
Maj. Tony Sommer, a staff attorney for state police, said the new rules would ensure that Indiana gun buyers meet all federal guidelines. Currently, state police do not check immigration status for every purchase.
Federal rules are also stricter on sales of handguns to those against whom protective orders have been issued and those convicted of domestic violence.
"We are not in a position to enforce all these provisions, because they're not in state law," Sommer said.
A bill closing the gap between the state and federal rules _ and keeping gun permits as a substitute for checks _ passed the state Senate but died in the House this year. Its sponsor, Sen. Richard Bray, R-Martinsville, said he might reintroduce it.
The new rules will still allow purchases every day of the week.
Geez.
