Posted on 02/08/2007 6:58:20 PM PST by Copernicus
ATF Commerce in Firearms PDF Report
The Gun Control Act of 1968 established the first comprehensive Federal licensing system for importers, manufacturers and dealers in firearms to the retail level. That system requires licensees to maintain detailed records on transactions in firearms, and subjects their business premises to inspection by the ATF.
From 1968 to 1993, THE PROCESS TO OBTAIN A FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE WAS OVERLY SIMPLE. (emphasis added)
The annual fee WAS ONLY $10 for a license that authorized the person to ship, transport and receive firearms in interstate commerce and engage in retail sales. The statue required ATF to issue a license within 45 days to anyone who was 21 years old, had premises from which they intended to conduct business and who otherwise was not prohibited from possessing firearms.
The statute was designed TO LIMIT THE DISCRETION OF ATF IN DENYING LICENSES.
Over time the numbers of licensees began to swell until 1992 when the numbers reached over 284,000...............
In 1993, Congress increased the license application fee to $200 for three years.
Again, in 1994, Congress imposed requirements that applicants submit photographs and fingerprints to better enable ATF to identify applicants and new criteria that ensures that the business to be conducted would comply with all applicable State and local laws.....
From 1975 to 1992 the licensee population grew from 161,927 to 284,117...........
In 1993 and 1994, Congress added several safeguards to ensure only legitimate gun dealers obtain Federal licenses, including increased fees and certification requirements.
Following the ATF's implementation of those provisions the number of Federal firearms licensees DROPPED FROM 284,117 IN 1992 TO 103,942 IN 1999. OF THESE 80,570 ARE RETAIL DEALERS OR PAWNBROKERS.
I didn't suggest that anyone did. I was only explaining the origin of the acronym 'bttt.'
"latest posts" gives a good picture of what threads are getting the most attention at any given time.
I guess that's when I'm just going to stop caring about every gun laws. 10 year prison sale for private sales? Fine, we can make machineguns.
I'm assuming that Mr. Paulsen does not like Wal-Mart, as they "screw" small-to-midsize retailers.
You cannot buy a New-In-Box (NIB) firearm from your neighbor, unless he/she/it is a Class 01 Federal Firearms Licensee...and that is definitely contrary to the Constitution (IMHO).
I accept the need for FFLs, because I don't some psychotic on leave from the local Home for the Bewildered buying a .50 Barret, and having to fill out the yellow form at my local FFL-licensed dealer helps prevent that even if just a little, because the dealer isn't going to put his license and business on the line for one sale to a weirdo.
So because someone might do something illegal or crazy, you want to restrict everyone's right to do that thing? That is what is known as "prior restraint" and has repeatedly been ruled unconstitutional in the 1st Amendment context. It is the equivalent of banning automobiles and liquor because some irresponsible bartender **may** give another drink to someone who's obviously drunk already, and that drunk **might** go out on the road and kill someone. Sorry, that doesn't wash with me. You could make the same argument for lots of household chemicals, but no one has because it would cause too much inconvenience. Same for gasoline - remember the Happy Land Social Club massacre in NYC in 1990? 87 people died because one sick guy bought some gasoline and misused it.
By the way, psychos and criminals can get guns pretty much anywhere - restricting access and availability only restricts the sane and law-abiding.
Double the number you asked for.
"Out of 100,000 some-odd registered dealers"
Ah, now I get it. You challenge me to find one so when I find one you can them minimize it. Not debate it. Not counter it. Not negate it. Simply minimize it. Don't ask again. I don't like lightweights who waste my time simply to play gotcha games.
"Note that the act of "registering" these two crook did NOT prevent any murders or crimes"
Did someone say it would? Anyone? Or are you simply setting up these strawmen so you can appear brilliant when knocking them down. "Appear" being the operative word.
"Your (repeated) drinking driving comparisons are not useful; 17,000 people EVERY YEAR are killed by drunk drivers. Really, actually killed"
Out of how many millions driving over .08 every day? 10 million? Times 365 days. Hell, what is that? 17,000 out of 3 billion? Lotteries have better odds.
Yet you expect me to believe that DWI is life threatening, but FFLs selling guns to gang members and drug dealers is not?
At the time, a Type 01 FFL did not _require_ business, it just _allowed_ it.
Nothing dishonest about it, just complying with laws intended to be obnoxious.
No, it's anarchy.
"Freedom" understands reasonable restrictions. The anarchist hates restrictions, reasonable or not.
Laws made within the limits of regulatory power in the Constitution are fine. Laws agreed upon by individuals are fine.
You are a troll of a completely different stripe though.
There can be no "reasonable restriction" on "shall not be infringed". Especially to the depths you and your Brady Campaign friends take it.
As well they should. And I'm sure you agree, being law abiding and all.
That's not the law at all, only the BATF interpretation of the law. And their *interpretations and policies have fared poorly under court scrutiny before.
"it becomes real understandable why some some collectors and retired part-time dealers tried to jump through every hoop"
The operative word is "dealer". Not someone who's calling themselves a dealer to get a discount.
That's your opinion. The law as written says otherwise:
United States Code,
Title 18, Part I, Chapter 44, § 921
§ 921. Definitions
(a) As used in this chapter—
(11) The term “dealer” means
(A) any person engaged in the business of selling firearms at wholesale or retail,
(B) any person engaged in the business of repairing firearms or of making or fitting special barrels, stocks, or trigger mechanisms to firearms, or
(C) any person who is a pawnbroker.
The term “licensed dealer” means any dealer who is licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
Gosh. Only two choices? Why only two choices?
Can I pick federalism instead?
Patience.
That's exactly what the Type 03 FFL is for, and is perfectly accepted - even encouraged - in the industry.
The Type 01 just removed the age & oddity restrictions, and removed concerns about what constitutes "dealing".
Relax, man. There's nothing devious about it.
That wasn't what the taxpayers were paying for, it seems....
There is the statists view of individual liberty in a nutshell.
Few had "absolutely no intention" thus. Most that far into the hobby do buy, and sell. The Type 03 FFL limits the "sell" part in a way that's rather confusing & risky, and having a Type 01 just eliminates that concern.
I doubt anyone obtained one with the express intent "I will NEVER EVER sell".
Oh he "is", "is" he?
Then why did we go from 284,000 down to 54,000? What happened to those 230,000 "dealers"?
I mean, according to you they were all legitimate dealers, just small. Right? Honest and legit, right?
Yeah. Right. Sell that to your friends -- I ain't buyin'.
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