H.R. 45 firearm registration bill

[MarkinAZ]

Aka, “Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009”

My fellow inmates, it never seems to end does it? H.R. 45 has been created by Congressman Bobby Rush (D) Illinois, and reads something as follows:

To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes.

1/6/2009--Introduced.
Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked. Prescribes license application, issuance, and renewal requirements. Prohibits transferring or receiving a qualifying firearm unless the recipient presents a valid firearms license, the license is verified, and the dealer records a tracking authorization number. Prescribes firearms transfer reporting and record keeping requirements. Directs the Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system.
Prohibits:
(1) transferring a firearm to any person other than a licensee, unless the transfer is processed through a licensed dealer in accordance with national instant criminal background check system requirements, with exceptions; (I believe nowaday, most states, such as California et. al., require a person to go through a licensed dealer when selling a revolver, pistol, or rifle to another person. Is this not the current standard in your state?);
(2) a licensed manufacturer or dealer from failing to comply with reporting and record keeping requirements of this Act; (I believe manufacturers and dealers already have to comply as per their respective state DOJ and BATF. Why compound the issue?);
(3) failing to report the loss or theft of the firearm to the Attorney General within 72 hours; (Why? I’d probably file a claim with my insurance carrier though…);
(4) failing to report to the Attorney General an address change within 60 days; (Again, why?);
(5) keeping a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition for the firearm, knowingly or recklessly disregarding the risk that a child is capable of gaining access, if a child uses the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury. (I believe a number of sovereign states already have this paragraph covered); Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of firearms provisions covered by this Act.

Directs the Attorney General to:

(1) establish and maintain a firearm injury information clearinghouse; (Why? Doesn’t the FBI and BATF already have this covered?);

(2) conduct continuing studies and investigations of firearm-related deaths and injuries; (Again, why? Doesn’t the FBI and BATF already have this covered?); and

(3) collect and maintain current production and sales figures of each licensed manufacturer. (Why? Doesn’t the commerce department of each sovereign state usually perform this task, that we pay for?);

Authorizes the Attorney General to certify state firearm licensing or record of sale systems. (Why? That’s why each sovereign state has a DOJ and their own AG to oversee their own direction in this matter, without involvement from the Federal government);

What this basically equates to is a potentially universal NATIONAL FIREARMS REGISTRATION LAW funded by the burden of extra taxes that we do not need and will not accept.

We already have a successful system of background checks and registration in this country, and I feel we do not need a Federal system on top of the already existing state system currently in place. What say you?

BTW: If you're in disagreement with this bill, please feel free to contact your local Congressman or Senator to share your feelings

[Thrak]

In GA you can sell a firearm face to face with no dealer or any "middle man". You do have to believe that person you sell to is a "good citizen" with no criminal history.


This bill is a bunch of crap... as if there isnt more important things to worry about sheesh. Just another power grab...

[Rabidsquirrel]

Originally Posted by Thrak

This bill is a bunch of crap... as if there isnt more important things to worry about sheesh. Just another power grab...

I doubt you'd say the same thing if you lived in Philadelphia and you were a cop. I forget how many we've buried this year already, 3?

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

I doubt you'd say the same thing if you lived in Philadelphia and you were a cop. I forget how many we've buried this year already, 3?

And this would help how? The bad guys aren't known for following the existing rules, why would they follow new ones?

[elderboy02]

I think this bill is a bunch of BS.

Originally Posted by elderboy02

I think this bill is a bunch of BS.

[Rabidsquirrel]

Originally Posted by Kreth

And this would help how? The bad guys aren't known for following the existing rules, why would they follow new ones?

Yes, I realize if you outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns. It doesn't mean we have to make it easy for them to get them. If you choke off the easy supply, eventually things will begin to calm down.

And why is it a bad thing to report that your gun was lost or stolen? I don't see why anyone would balk at this, other than to cause trouble.

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

And why is it a bad thing to report that your gun was lost or stolen? I don't see why anyone would balk at this, other than to cause trouble.

I think the main objection is that all of this stuff is covered by existing laws. Why should I have to jump through hoops to exercise my 2nd amendment rights?

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

Yes, I realize if you outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns. It doesn't mean we have to make it easy for them to get them. If you choke off the easy supply, eventually things will begin to calm down.

There is no choking off the "easy supply". We can't even keep drugs from crossing the borders.

And why is it a bad thing to report that your gun was lost or stolen? I don't see why anyone would balk at this, other than to cause trouble.

Suppose it gets stolen (say from a storage unit) and you don't find out until more than 72 hours later?

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

I doubt you'd say the same thing if you lived in Philadelphia and you were a cop. I forget how many we've buried this year already, 3?

Yea the cops are too busy shooting their dogs around Monkey county.
They just don't want to compete?

edit: the story
http://www.timesherald.com/articles/...a983617874.txt

[G G]

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

I doubt you'd say the same thing if you lived in Philadelphia and you were a cop. I forget how many we've buried this year already, 3?

Most of the criminals are not buying them legally now, and they wont with a new law. They are not going to follow the law, they will still buy them on the street.

And I am sorry to hear about the three brave men that have died because of thugs.

[Rabidsquirrel]

Originally Posted by ggainey

Most of the criminals are not buying them legally now, and they wont with a new law. They are not going to follow the law, they will still buy them on the street.

Of course they won't legally buy them. The get their family/wives/girlfriends to legally buy them and give them to them.

I don't need people to keep telling me that criminals don't follow the law. They're called criminals for a reason, I realize that. If you crack down on the people that willingly give known criminals a handgun, it's a start.

[Sauer Grapes]

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

Of course they won't legally buy them. The get their family/wives/girlfriends to legally buy them and give them to them.

I don't need people to keep telling me that criminals don't follow the law. They're called criminals for a reason, I realize that. If you crack down on the people that willingly give known criminals a handgun, it's a start.

There is no way for their family/wives/girlfriends to legally buy them and give them to them. In doing so, they have lied on a federal form and committed at least two felonies. Any straw purchase is an illegal purchase through fraud and therefore those guns weren't purchased legally. You pretty much just gave ANOTHER example of how criminals will find a way to get a gun. At what point do we stop punishing the law abiding citizens?

As I see it, there are two options.

1) take all guns (criminals will still have them, but there will be less around for sure)

2) enforce the current laws with very strict punishments, ones that some will even call too much. Of course, that'll never fly because we protect criminals in this country because "it's not their fault" and "it's society's fault." Seriously, IMO, if a convicted felon is found in possession of a firearm, I think it should be mandatory life in prison.

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

I doubt you'd say the same thing if you lived in Philadelphia and you were a cop. I forget how many we've buried this year already, 3?

I regard gun control as the social equivalent of slapping a band-aid on cancer, or trying to patch the rotten wood of a house that's gone bad because nobody's doing (or willing to do) the necessary upkeep. It's a looks-good-feels-good-accomplishes-nothing approach to a circumstance where serious examination shows that the real solution is much more difficult.

[Thrak]

... and that is the fault of the gun? Or the criminal with the gun? Do you blame the car, or the drunk behind the wheel?

Dont limit MY rights because you think criminals will follow new gun laws, when they dont follow the ones on the books now.

There is no doubt in my mind that he means well, but that reminds me of a quote by CS Lewis.

"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. "

[Sauer Grapes]

But it won't prevent the criminals from obtaining firearms.

There are already laws against felons from possessing firearms. Heck, a felon can't even have one round in his pocket or car.

[blugill]

If a bad guy wants a firearm he will get it. If it is illegal to buy he will steal it. If it is illegal to steal he will kill for it.

The more road blocks the government puts up to discourage honest people from buying firearms the less they have to fear from the citizens who are seeing their future ruined by an out of control government.

[taltos]

Congress is afraid that the general population will finally realize the intent of the Second Amendment; it is there to protect this country's citizens from an out of control government.

Revolution!!!