Posted on 08/11/2009 8:19:14 PM PDT by marktwain
OMAHA (KPTM) - A new city ordinance is on the books, requiring second hand gun shops to fingerprint anyone selling a gun. Omaha police say it will help cut violence, by taking illegal weapons off the street.
For decades, people selling anything at Mid-City Jewelry and Loan have had to put their finger in ink. It's a city requirement that takes less than five minutes. "We do that on anything that we loan on, whether it's a gun, or a diamond or a TV or a stereo or tools. That's just our process. Always has been," said Don Hoberman, the store's owner.
Tuesday night after contentious debate, Omaha city council members voted four to three to require the same at second hand gun dealers, like Scheel's and Guns Unlimited. Prosecutors say fingerprinting gun sellers at these retailers will help police track stolen weapons and those used in crimes. "Right now people can lie and get away with it. This would prevent those people who are lying from getting away with it," said Omaha City Prosecutor Marty Conboy.
Opponents of the ordinance argue law enforcement could identify stolen firearms without inconveniencing truthful gun owners, who may have unknowingly and legitimately bought a stolen firearm. "We're making a honest person put his thumb out there and go on record as either owning or selling guns and the criminal can just say, 'I'm not going to do this, I'm going to sell it at a shop in Sarpy County,'" said Omaha City Councilmember Chuck Sigerson.
But for Hoberman, the change is just about what's fair, no matter where a gun is sold in Omaha. "It's a weapon, it should have the same requirements in any store that deals in weaponry," he said.
The ordinance also requires secondhand gun dealers to allow police to examine guns on site, as well as records of purchases, including fingerprints. Some people fear the law will increase the sale of illegal guns on the black market.
TN just ditched their fingerprint law because it was a colossal waste of time and I think over its entire life only one arrest was made for a broken law with the fingerprints.
I can see it at pawn shops. But, thieves will just go pawn in another city. I wonder how many crooks they have actually caught with this law.
parsy, who was heavily influenced by the Weapon Shops of Isher
Once you have acquired a firearm, never even think about selling it.
Shoot it, clean it, holster it up different ways, add to its ammo pile.
Just don't ever sell it.
I never do.
Because a criminal is going to want to give over their thumb print. Honest, law abiding citizens would be hesitant to do this. Criminals... Heck no.
the criminal can just say, 'I'm not going to do this, I'm going to sell it at a shop in Sarpy County,'"
So, this is to force criminals to go to Sarpy County to sell their unregistered weapons. Sure. As if the only place a criminal can unload a gun is in a law abiding second hand guns shop.
I think there's a case of the Stupefying Flu going around because it looks like it is contagious.
Do public officials have to pass a stupidity exam?
What makes a weapon “illegal”. More legally it is the illegal use of a weapon. As in holding the person using the weapon responsible. My first gun buy was out of the paper in Amarillo, Texas. Ruger .357 mag. $125.00 Deal done, no problem. I have had the pistol for 20 years and damn if the gun hasn’t gone off and gone postal. AMAZING. The stupid gun laws focus on the firearm and not on the person operating the firearm.
I never do.
I can't ever recall selling a firearm. There was a Marlin Goose Gun that I traded (privately) for a Whitney Wolverine - but never a recorded sale.
Do public officials have to pass a stupidity exam?
They do in Connecticut, but I was unaware that it was also a requirement in Nebraska.
“Omaha police say it will help cut violence, by taking illegal weapons off the street.”
Nary a mention of returning a stolen firearm to its rightful owner. Do the police actually do that any more?
That’s a great book. I read that, and all of Heinlein, as a teenager.
Waste of time.
The business owner quoted, SAID they did this fingerprinting on EVERYTHING for YEARS. Any 3rd grader could understand this, not any politican tho.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.