THIS BILL almost certainly won’t make it through the Senate and, even if it does, Trump will likely veto it. But don’t dismiss the significance of the issue. The Dems are winning the P.R. battle by framing universal background checks as a simple step to close the “gun show loophole”. Loopholes, by their very nature, should be closed, right? In reality, there is no loophole. The background-check system is a regulatory requirement imposed upon, and applicable only to, holders of federal firearms licenses. The fact that private citizens – whether at a gun show or anywhere else – are not subject to that licensing requirement is not a loophole; it’s common sense. When you hear the issue framed as “common sense gun control”, ask yourself whether it’s common sense to require a grandfather to seek permission from the FBI before giving his grandson a shotgun for Christmas. Words matter.
And, on a broader note, don’t forget that with universal background checks – and only with universal background checks – a national registry of every firearm and every firearm owner becomes possible. The Regressives assure us, however, that’s not the intent. Why wouldn’t they?