Background Checks Are Not the Answer to Gun Violence

The New York Times ^ | February 12, 2018 | John R. Lott, Jr.

[rogerantone1]

With each mass shooting, calls rise from gun control advocates for tighter rules on firearms. The go-to policy prescription involves background checks. But a measure passed by the House and being considered in the Senate to expand the National Instant Criminal Background Check System would not only fail to fix major flaws in the system but would also probably introduce new ones.

[Blood of Tyrants]

As sure as the sun rises and sets, after every high profile shooting occurs, liberals will call for more gun control on people who haven’t committed any crimes.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

NEVER FORGET what the founder of Handgun Control Inc (now the Brady Center)told the NYT years ago.

Nelson T. ‘Pete’ Shields
Founder of Handgun Control, Inc.

“I’m convinced that we have to have federal legislation to build on. We’re going to have to take one step at a time, and the first step is necessarily — given the political realities — going to be very modest.

Of course, it’s true that politicians will then go home and say, ‘This is a great law. The problem is solved.’ And it’s also true that such statements will tend to defuse the gun-control issue for a time.

So then we’ll have to strengthen that law, and then again to strengthen that law, and maybe again and again. Right now, though, we’d be satisfied not with half a loaf but with a slice. Our ultimate goal — total control of handguns in the United States — is going to take time.

My estimate is from seven to ten years. The problem is to slow down the increasing number of handguns sold in this country. The second problem is to get them all registered. And the final problem is to make the possession of all handguns and all handgun ammunition — except for the military, policemen, licensed security guards, licensed sporting clubs, and licensed gun collectors — totally illegal.”

-Pete Shields, Chairman and founder, Handgun Control Inc., “A Reporter At Large: Handguns,” The New Yorker, July 26, 1976, 57-58

“Yes, I’m for an outright ban [on handguns].”

-Pete Shields, Chairman emeritus, Handgun Control, Inc., 60 Minutes interview

HCI, around 1984, came out in favor of a ban on semi-auto rifles and shotguns.

[umgud]

Most mass killers do pass background checks, the Columbine killers were too young and used a straw buyer, Adam Lanza was too young to buy a handgun, but could buy a long gun, but instead, he killed his mom and took her gun to a gun-free zone where 6 unarmed adults tried to shield 20 students with their bodies.

Most criminals can’t pass background checks and wouldn’t if they could. They may have to toss a gun and don’t want it tied to them.

Having background checks is kinda like wetting your dark trowsers... it gives you a nice warm feeling, but nobody notices.

[goldstategop]

And the other problem is some killers, like the LV Strip mass murderer had no prior criminal records.

No background check on earth would have stopped them.

[umgud]

ditto

[<1/1,000,000th%]

The NYTimes published an op-ed by John Lott?????

[Gene Eric]

Is it normal for NYT to run conservative opinion pieces?

[Bob]

Two possibilities that come to mind:

1. See, we’re not as leftist as right-wing extremists claim.

2. To give their readers a target for ridicule in the comments.

[cranked]

Just as requiring voters to produce evidence that they are who they claim they are before they can vote, yes, NYT?

[GreyHoundSailor]

We’re just going to declare our corner of the state a sanctuary and ignore any new laws related to the private sale of personal property.

[Reno89519]

With the exception of the air force not sharing info, background checks would not have stopped any shooter. Even that guy could likely have found a way around it.

The basic premise is okay but needs to be updated:

1. Are you a U.S. citizen?
2. Are you a user or dealer of federally illegal drugs?
3. Are you a member or follower of any of the following Islam, communision, etc.
4. Are you a member or participant of any group promoting, supporting, or waging violent protest or action against the U.S.?
5. Have you been found to be mentally challenged (wanting to cause violence to yourself or others), hospitalized, or on medication to reduce those motivations?

   Oh, so many things one might ask to weed out those that really should not have guns.

[CGVet58]

bttt

[Hugh the Scot]

Leftists are always trying to decide who “really should not have” freedom.

Trusting to any government to protect you from anything is a fools errand.

Be armed, take responsibility for your own safety, and be accountable for your own choices...

and stop worrying about what other people “really should not have”.

[SandRat]

GEE WHIZ! How long have we been saying that?!!?!!