Latest News for Gun Laws and Criminal Background Checks
In most places around the country, you’ll need a criminal background check to purchase that firearm at a retailer. But what about a gun show? Although this loophole has been in talks for several months in several states, many states, including New York, Virginia, and Maine, can’t decide to require background checks to attendees at a gun show. In the case of Maine, the Democratic Party is split on to require background checks for gun show attendees or to not. Maine has the highest per capita gun ownership amount while being the second-safest state, but those in the state Democratic Party, with the exception of Rosa Scarcelli, don’t want to require background checks for gun shows.
Cost is the main reason behind the resistance, as anyone needing a criminal background check will need to pay about $25 to $50 for a basic screening, unless the state foots the bill. However, according to the linked article above, gun shows are often an opportunity for those who, at a retailer, had their background check rejected to purchase a fire arm. The fact that nine out of 16 domestic violence incidents in Maine involve firearms further supports that removing the loophole for gun shows is, to paraphrase Scarcelli, “common sense.”
Arizona’s gun laws, on another hand, are a different matter. Forget about background checks for gun shows: The state recently approved a measure that allows any adult to carry a gun without a background check. The AACP, in fact, even stated that this law will bring Arizona to a state much like the Wild West. Although citizens do have the right to carry weapons and bear arms, should every citizen be allowed to? With gun violence still a problem in many parts of the country – and Phoenix is probably no exception – shouldn’t gun laws be stricter on those wanting to own a firearm?
[...] head for the black market or gun shows that don’t check its buyers. This goes to show that anyone going to a gunshow could, in theory, be the next shooter in a school massacre and no one would know because a [...]
As an Arizona resident, I am really getting tired of being portrayed as a racist because I am in favor of SB1070. I hope this legislation leads to reform on the current immigration laws. It’s a travesty that more illegals aren’t even given an option to enter the country legally. However this law isn’t going to “legalize profiling.” The law is going to require officers to obtain proof of citizenship only in situations where a crime has taken place.
I just read the best reaction to the immigration law ever on CNN. Awesome! “OK… so a cop’s title is “Law Enforcement Officer”… in order to be an “Illegal Immigrant” you have to be breaking the law of the United States of America… why would we not expect our “Law Enforcement Officers” to enforce the law of the United States of America? This is not a racist statement, this is not an anti-immigrant statement, I’m not a tea-partier, Im a slightly left of center gay American whose partner of 8 years is a Canadian. My partner goes through a massive ordeal in order to stay in this country legally, which he does… Im not able to sponsor him for permanent residence, and there is no legal pathway for him to gain permanent residence… so for now we live with renewing his temporary status based on his job and NAFTA, hoping for either an employer willing to sponsor him for permanent residence (a 5 year long, very expensive process) or the repeal/invalidation of DOMA, or the passage of the UAFA bill. He has to prove his legality in this country quite often, and is required to have his passport with proof of his legality on him at all times… I am more a victim of discrimination, as a US Citizen who cannot sponsor my permanent partner for US residence, than these illegal aliens who are breaking the law of the united states”