Trump admin bans Bump Stocks

[Belsnickel]

(03-27-2019, 09:59 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: The only flaw in that statement is that universal background checks require registration to function.  Unless you are using definitions of licensing and registration that are completely out of touch with what I am familiar with.  If the government is supposed to be immediately apprised of what you own and when, then how is that different from registration, absent a possible (likely) fee?

I'm not using different definitions, but I do have a policy solution that would allow for universal background checks, licensing, and no registration. I've mentioned it before on here, but I'll try to lay it out as best I can.

It begins with a federal law requiring each state to implement this program. The funding source should be a tax on ammunition and/or firearms. However, given this program would just expand an already existing system, the additional funding source shouldn't be too high.

Each state would implement a Permit to Purchase (PP) program. Each PP would be contingent upon a background check conducted at the local level law enforcement/court system, depending on the state's preference. It would be a "shall issue" situation contingent upon a firearm safety certification and passing a background check. If a person already holds a Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP), then that will substitute for the permit. Each permit shall be valid for a period of no less than one year and no more than five. On each permit shall be a license number as well as a phone number for contacting the issuing locality to check the status of the permit (in cases where it could have been revoked but not surrendered). States may also choose to implement a secure portal for checking the status of permits, though it should have no identifying information in it beyond the license number and the status.

Upon transfer by any person to any person, the phone number (or portal) shall be utilized to check the status of the permit. The permit shall also be verified against a photo identification card to ensure the permit belongs to the person receiving the firearm. The transfer shall be recorded by the previous owner for their own records. This should include the make, model and serial number of the firearm, as well as the date, license number, and locality that issued the permit. If a firearm is stolen it must be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours.

Once a firearm is found, law enforcement shall contact the manufacturer to determine the first transfer location. From that point, each transfer should be recorded by the individual and held in their records. Law enforcement can verify that the permit was checked using the records of the locality. It requires more legwork than just looking at a database for registration information, but the end results will be the same and prevents central registration.

Any person who transfers firearm ownership without checking the permit information or fails to report a stolen firearm within the allowable window shall be subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor (using Virginia's system here, it's what I'm familiar with) on the first offense and a Class 6 felony on any subsequent occurrences.

This allows for universal background checks and licensing without any registration. This also includes a built in waiting period since it requires preparation to obtain the permit. The reason this is important is because waiting periods are proven to reduce firearm suicides. This needs to be a federal law because any state not implementing something like this becomes a beacon for straw purchases in the region. Lastly, the reason this occurs at the state and local level is because background checks conducted at those levels are more effective than those that rely only on NICS.