Registry would treat gun owners like criminals

The Morning Call ^ | April 10, 2007 | Christian Berg

[Navydog]

If someone told you he had been forced to provide the Pennsylvania State Police with their fingerprints, photograph, Social Security number and a host of other personal information, you'd probably assume they were arrested and charged with a crime.

Well, that kind of police ''booking'' process could be in store for Pennsylvania's roughly 3 million firearms owners if gun-control advocates in Harrisburg have their way.

[A1 Southern Man]

I would like to see any business owner/gun owner threaten to shut down their business and move out of state if this was to pass.

[JimRed]

...fingerprints, photograph, Social Security number and a host of other personal information...

That's all the same stuff required of a real estate licensee in New Jersey. A thorough background check keeps most criminals out of the business.

I assume the goal is to keep them (criminals) from legally carrying firearms in this case.

[DCBryan1]

Amen, and I would like to see all firearms manufacturers REFUSE to service, sell, repair ANY law enforcement weapons.

[digger48]

The rules I mentioned so far are only for those whose registration applications are approved. If your registration application is rejected for any reason, and your appeal is denied, you have three days to turn over all your guns to the state police.

So, if the government screws up and denies your application because of its mistake, you lose your guns. There's nothing in the bill addressing what happens to seized guns or when, if ever, you can get them back.

[Hazcat]

Nope. Backgound checks are made at point of sale.

This is just so the Po PO have a record of evry gun and who has it and a way to decide that YOU should no longer have that particular gun so we (Po PO) are gonna take it. In other words a great list for disarming law abiding citizens.

[Kay Ludlow]

Nice article. If I recall correctly from reading the bill, not only do you have 48 hours to turn your guns in if you are turned down, even if successful you only have 48 hours to notify the police of any change in your application information. The application requires both your home address/phone number and your work address/phone number, so if you change jobs, or get laid off, you have 48 hours to notify the PA State Police. They can also ask for any other information the PSP consider necessary. Maybe they'll ask for cell-phone, so if you change that number you have 48 hours to notify the police. Maybe they'll ask for your next-of-kin, so if you're unfortunate enough to lose a spouse or parent you may have to notify the PSP before they're even in the grave.

Of course, all this only applies if you are law-abiding enough to actually register. Real criminals won't be impacted at all. Maybe those Philly and Pitt representatives really do think ordinary people are the criminals. Maybe they think real criminals are heroes for defying the 'estalishment'...

[Clint Williams]

The Second Amendment is dead, it died a long time ago, and the sooner you all recognize that fact the better. The question is: What will you do?

[paul51]

If someone told you he had been forced to provide the Pennsylvania State Police with their fingerprints, photograph, Social Security number and a host of other personal information

Should be required of all politicians as well as psychological examination.

[paul51]

PS should also be required of all LEO

[Kay Ludlow]

A thorough background check keeps most criminals out of the business. I assume the goal is to keep them (criminals) from legally carrying firearms in this case.

There are some critical differences here. If you don't have a Real Estate License you'll be really crippled in the home sales business. Do you really think a criminal will be prevented from doing business (crime) if he/she can't get a license? Background checks on gun purchases would already have taken care of that, if it were work...

[takenoprisoner]

Pennsylvanians should look at who wants to remove their right to self protect. I mean, that is their ultimate goal.

she wants to remove your right to self protect

he wants to remove your right to self protect

he wants to remove your right to self protect

she wants to remove your right to self protect

Lest we forget, he wants to remove your right to self protect

[takenoprisoner]

Oops, I missed one.

she wants to remove your right to self protect

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

"Your papers please."

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

So is Pennsylvania officially now a liberal hell hole like California? Or is it salvageable?

[steel_resolve]

I’m a PA boy and they ain’t taking my guns.

[Sender]

The Second Amendment is not dead. It sleeps, awaiting the Spring. I will do whatever is required. Spring is coming.

[A1 Southern Man]

#I assume the goal is to keep them (criminals) from legally carrying firearms in this case.”

It is already against the law for criminals to have guns. And this is not about carrying guns anyway. This is just a way to fleece law abiding citizens out of more money. Every politician who signed on to this should be recalled.

[steve86]

That's all the same stuff required of a real estate licensee in New Jersey. A thorough background check keeps most criminals out of the business.

BUT IT DOESN'T PREVENT THEM FROM BECOMING CRIMINALS AFTER THEY GET THEIR REALTOR LICENSE! And many of them do, judging by the carnage as this housing bubble bursts.

Boy, you left yourself open on that one.

[Clint Williams]

The Second Amendment is not dead. It sleeps, awaiting the Spring. I will do whatever is required. Spring is coming.

I await the [r]esurrection. (Lower-case'r' intended.)