Candidate Calculator 2008 Election

Gun Background Checks

Summary

In 1994, the Brady Law established background checks and waiting periods before guns could be purchased from federally licensed gun dealers, and in 1998 it established the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), a computerized "instant-check" background system. In addition to NCIS, authorities have three days to investigate a purchaser's background.

Approximately half of U.S. gun sales occur through federally licensed gun dealers, and the other half at gun shows and private seller. Firearms bought at these venues are not subject to the Brady Bill.  

Under the Brady Bill, states were permitted to set up their own gun-control systems, as long as they met the federal minimum standards.

Yes: Support Gun Background Checks

Since the Brady Bill took effect, more than 600,000 gun sales have been halted because the purchasers have had felony or other prohibiting factors in their background, such as being juveniles, or having a history of mental illness or domestic violence. This alone is reason enough to continue with and extend the waiting period. A waiting period also forces people who buy a gun during a moment of passion to cool down and possibly decide against the violence they were considering.

Unfortunately, even though the Brady Bill has helped, background checks require more time. Federal and state records are poorly coordinated, and sometimes records are not computerized or only partially computerized. Furthermore, different states document different types of behavior. So a few more days will allow time needed to complete a thorough background check.

You support this or similar arguments.

No: Against Gun Background Checks

Gun background checks do not significantly deter those with criminal intentions from acquiring handguns. As supporters of gun background checks acknowledge, the background check system is poorly coordinated and full of loopholes, most notably that approximately half of firearm sales in the United States do not fall under the provisions of the Brady Bill. For these reasons, and the plain fact that criminals will get guns if they want them, gun background checks place an undue restrictions on citizens who want to purchase firearms for legal use. Gun background checks are an infringement on the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

You support this or similar arguments.

Additional Information

 
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