I'm curious how others think about an idea I've had in the past. I want to preface this by saying I believe there is no reason to restrict a legal gun owner from legally selling their guns to another who is legally able to purchase and own guns. BUT, how are we as private sellers suppose to "know" it's ok if we don't "know" the person?
So, my thought, which could be a solution to these "loophole" issues in places like Virginia, would be a Buyer's License, or Background check ID, or some kind of name like that. Essentially, just like a hunters license or a drivers license, you pay a small fee to a local FFL who runs the background check on you. Say it's $25. Once passed, you receive a "license", or card, good for 1, 2, 3 years, some reasonable number. Maybe even 5 years like a CHP license. The card would have your name and a Reference # to use when calling the database to verify the card owners status, and the phone number to call.
(edit after post 13: I should stress that as I envision this, it would be voluntary for the seller, both as a means of personal satisfaction as to the legal status of the buyer as well as protection from possible future prosecution as long as the seller keeps a record for that purpose. There would be no "legal requirement" for a buyer to get one of these cards or licenses. Also, it might serve as a way to speed up current FFL purchases, as the FFL might be able to simply enter the ID number and verify your ID ?? )
As I envision this, I as a seller would take your, the buyer's, card and call the number. After entering your ID number, it tells me your status as a legal gun purchaser is unchanged. AND, I'd like it to tell me you are white/black/asian, 5' 10" 205 lbs , blonde/black/brown hair, etc., so I as the seller can reasonably verify that you ARE the person the card was issued to and not someone with a stolen card. This is the extent of what I would want this system to contain or do. Be simply a method for non FFL sellers to verify a buyer is legal, as well as providing the simple description that would prevent us, legal gun owners, selling to an obvious thief.
As an example, say I steal the ID of a friend (assume I can't pass the check due to multiple felonies on my record, and don't know his description is provided). I'm at a show, start the purchase of a gun from a private seller, who calls it in. The call says "ID 20050678 is not barred from ownership or purchase of Firearms. Please verify the purchaser fits the following description: 5' 11" , 215 lbs, black hair, brown eyes, Japanese American heritage". Upon looking at me, the seller notices I am 5' 8", 205 lbs, dark blonde/gray hair, hazel eyes. Obviously I am NOT the owner of the card, so he's able to refuse to sell me the gun, and prevent a multi time felon from using the private sale mechanism.
Would you be ok with a system like this? ? Keep in mind, at no point are serial numbers reported, nor is there even a record of whether a purchase actually took place. Simply a verification that the person is still legal for purchase and ownership.
So, my thought, which could be a solution to these "loophole" issues in places like Virginia, would be a Buyer's License, or Background check ID, or some kind of name like that. Essentially, just like a hunters license or a drivers license, you pay a small fee to a local FFL who runs the background check on you. Say it's $25. Once passed, you receive a "license", or card, good for 1, 2, 3 years, some reasonable number. Maybe even 5 years like a CHP license. The card would have your name and a Reference # to use when calling the database to verify the card owners status, and the phone number to call.
(edit after post 13: I should stress that as I envision this, it would be voluntary for the seller, both as a means of personal satisfaction as to the legal status of the buyer as well as protection from possible future prosecution as long as the seller keeps a record for that purpose. There would be no "legal requirement" for a buyer to get one of these cards or licenses. Also, it might serve as a way to speed up current FFL purchases, as the FFL might be able to simply enter the ID number and verify your ID ?? )
As I envision this, I as a seller would take your, the buyer's, card and call the number. After entering your ID number, it tells me your status as a legal gun purchaser is unchanged. AND, I'd like it to tell me you are white/black/asian, 5' 10" 205 lbs , blonde/black/brown hair, etc., so I as the seller can reasonably verify that you ARE the person the card was issued to and not someone with a stolen card. This is the extent of what I would want this system to contain or do. Be simply a method for non FFL sellers to verify a buyer is legal, as well as providing the simple description that would prevent us, legal gun owners, selling to an obvious thief.
As an example, say I steal the ID of a friend (assume I can't pass the check due to multiple felonies on my record, and don't know his description is provided). I'm at a show, start the purchase of a gun from a private seller, who calls it in. The call says "ID 20050678 is not barred from ownership or purchase of Firearms. Please verify the purchaser fits the following description: 5' 11" , 215 lbs, black hair, brown eyes, Japanese American heritage". Upon looking at me, the seller notices I am 5' 8", 205 lbs, dark blonde/gray hair, hazel eyes. Obviously I am NOT the owner of the card, so he's able to refuse to sell me the gun, and prevent a multi time felon from using the private sale mechanism.
Would you be ok with a system like this? ? Keep in mind, at no point are serial numbers reported, nor is there even a record of whether a purchase actually took place. Simply a verification that the person is still legal for purchase and ownership.
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think I'll go add a little clarification. IF you would, please look at the "edit" section I just added and tell me if that is more acceptable or if you still would never consider such ?? and thanks for the input either way