Every time there is a gun related massacre you’ll notice a surge in the debate over guns, gun control and the right to bear arms.
This is a right that comes directly from the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of America. However, with as many as 6,789 injured through gun use already this year it seems likely that this debate will continue to rage for the foreseeable future.
Current Checks For Gun Ownership
The current regulations require that you are resident in the US at the time of purchasing a gun. You also need to undergo a background check and have proof of identity. You should be able to purchase a gun within an hour.
Of course, this is if you use a reputable seller such as gungods.net. It is much more difficult for the law officers to monitor transactions between private individuals where a background is not required.
This is an obvious loophole which is easily exploited. But, the question is how much difference does a background check really make?
Honest Individuals
The vast majority of people having a background check completed before buying a gun are law abiding citizens. They simply wish to have the ability to defend their homes if necessary. Most of these people will never use their guns.
These people happily undergo a background check and comply with all necessary regulations.
The Criminal Element
The people that are purchasing a weapon with criminal intent will not choose to have a background check undertaken. Instead they will purchase privately or buy with fake ID.
This is not the only way I which the background check can be bypassed.
If the check is inconclusive then the FBI have 3 days to verify or refuse gun permit. However, if there is a delay in them getting the report, they cannot locate the right information or they simply don’t have the time to verify the check then the sale can continue. This is despite the fact that the buyer has not successfully completed the background check.
The Current Flaw With Background Checks
Another issue that has recently come to light is the fact that people without any criminal record can pass the background checks and purchase a gun. But this doesn’t mean that they are not going to commit a crime.
The inspiration to purchase a gun could be revenge, they may be a sleeper or they might simply want to end it all.
Background Checks & Firearms Deaths
It is highly likely that a tighter approach to background checks will decrease the number of violent incidents with registered guns. But herein lies the real issue.
Those who are intent on committing a crime will access a gun through one channel or another. They don’t need it to be legal for their purposes.
While background checks may prevent some criminals getting their hands on a weapon they are actually more likely to increase the size of the black market.
You can prevent this without banning all guns and you’ll instantly come back to the problem of the 2nd amendment.
In short background checks can save lives but it’s unlikely that they are effective at present; there are simply too many loopholes which are difficult to close.