Common Misconceptions About Guns

As we plunge into 2016, it has become very clear that Obama will use his last year of power to strip Americans of their second amendment rights. Guns have become the chief issue of the Obama administration. During Obama’s teary eyed speech on Tuesday, his social media staff tweeted out a very false statement regarding online gun sales. This article will serve to clear up many recycled democratic talking points about guns.

THE GUN SHOW “LOOPHOLE”

Every time the gun discussion resurfaces, the infamous “gun show loophole” talking point resurfaces with it. The main argument of anti-gun advocates centers around the false assertion that guns are entirely too easy to acquire. This sort of sensationalism is not only false but also hinders productive discussions on the topic.

Put simply: every legal gun sale requires a background check. Every sale at a gun show through an FFL requires a federal background check through the NICS. Private citizens are allowed to sell at gun shows and transfer firearms to family/friends without a background check, however, they can and will be held criminally responsible if their firearm is used in a crime. Because of this, most responsible gun owners who aren’t FFLs that are looking to sell their firearms will bring their customer to an FFL and require a background check before they transfer the weapon. A good example of a straw man being held criminally responsible is the San Bernardino murders. Enrique Marquez, a friend of Sayed Farook was indicted in December for providing material support to terrorists. According to CNN, Marquez “bought firearms from local stores in late 2011 and early 2012, and is suspected of buying the rifles used by Farook and Farook’s wife.” Because Marquez provided these weapons to Farook he is now being held criminally responsible and will most likely remain in jail for life.

Most dealers at gun shows are FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensee), and the ones who are not are usually there to sell antique guns. I understand this is still considered a loophole but it is a very minuscule one. According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report, a mere 0.7% of firearms used in crimes were purchased at gun shows while 39.2% were obtained illegally (Theft, Black market, etc.). Criminals aren’t waltzing into gun shows and buying ridiculous amounts of guns. It just isn’t happening.

Read the rest over at the College Conservative.