Don't mean to "throw gas on the fire," (maybe just a little), but y'all ain't seen nothing yet. In the last month or two, USA Today had an article on the results of the database used for handgun purchase checks. Nothing like it in existence until now. It includes military discharges, very old warrants (yes, that 15 year old out of state warrant that you never knew was issued is in there, even if NCIC doesn't have it). Imagine how many people have been convicted of disorderly conduct involving a family member, paid a fine, and were not told that under federal law they cannot purchase a handgun (or own, possess, buy, any firearm).
Stop at your local gun shop to order that .22 for your son, answer all the questions truthfully, and 4 to 5 hours later two armed agents are at your door, your home is searched, all your firearms are immediately confiscated, you are arrested and booked into the local county jail (if it is a Friday or on a weekend you will not see a judge till Monday). Your name will be in the local papers for the arrest and illegally attempting to purchase a firearm.
That deferred prosecution agreement from when you were 18 was not entered into the "database" correctly. That 15-year-old out of state warrant that you never knew issued (say for a bar fight while you were in the service). That argument you had with your girlfriend four years ago, you paid a fine and thought nothing more about it. That less than honorable discharge from the military 20 years ago (not dishonorable, but less than honorable). That person with a felony record with the same name as yours (No, they check your prints later, after you are arrested, your house searched, firearms confiscated, and you are incarcerated in the local jail).
All of the above will bring the "task force" upon you in a matter of hours and you will be immediately arrested, booked, and incarcerated. Yes it can happen to LEOs too.
USA Today reported on just a few of the above, and warned that many many more will come.
The agents are very polite, almost apologetic, as they handcuff you, search your home, and take you away in front of your family and neighbors.
You can't sue anybody later as the agent and the rest are immune from such suits.
With a little pressure, the local newspaper will print a correction, but in the meantime, the locals will not take your personal checks, your children will hear about it in school, and so will your co-workers.
Yes, we do need more Federal Agents. Y'all may get to meet them. You bought a handgun five years ago with no problems, but buy one now-what will that database turn up????
[This message has been edited by RR (edited July 02, 1999).]
Stop at your local gun shop to order that .22 for your son, answer all the questions truthfully, and 4 to 5 hours later two armed agents are at your door, your home is searched, all your firearms are immediately confiscated, you are arrested and booked into the local county jail (if it is a Friday or on a weekend you will not see a judge till Monday). Your name will be in the local papers for the arrest and illegally attempting to purchase a firearm.
That deferred prosecution agreement from when you were 18 was not entered into the "database" correctly. That 15-year-old out of state warrant that you never knew issued (say for a bar fight while you were in the service). That argument you had with your girlfriend four years ago, you paid a fine and thought nothing more about it. That less than honorable discharge from the military 20 years ago (not dishonorable, but less than honorable). That person with a felony record with the same name as yours (No, they check your prints later, after you are arrested, your house searched, firearms confiscated, and you are incarcerated in the local jail).
All of the above will bring the "task force" upon you in a matter of hours and you will be immediately arrested, booked, and incarcerated. Yes it can happen to LEOs too.
USA Today reported on just a few of the above, and warned that many many more will come.
The agents are very polite, almost apologetic, as they handcuff you, search your home, and take you away in front of your family and neighbors.
You can't sue anybody later as the agent and the rest are immune from such suits.
With a little pressure, the local newspaper will print a correction, but in the meantime, the locals will not take your personal checks, your children will hear about it in school, and so will your co-workers.
Yes, we do need more Federal Agents. Y'all may get to meet them. You bought a handgun five years ago with no problems, but buy one now-what will that database turn up????
[This message has been edited by RR (edited July 02, 1999).]