I am having a discussion on Twitter regarding a proposal to make NICS checks online and free. This was presented as a potential "bi-partisan" way to help prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands. The idea is anyone could do a NICS check online and at no charge. One would have to input the usual identifying information for the buyer (as on a 4473) and then would get back a response indicating that person was or was not a "prohibited possessor". Whether firearm make/model/serial # would have to be included is unknown. Availing yourself of a NICS background check in this manner for a private sale would be voluntary.
This *might* increase utilization of the NICS background check system by removing the cost involved as well as allowing the check to be done anywhere that an internet connection was available.
I had actually considered this a while back and rejected the idea for the following reasons:
What says INGO?
This *might* increase utilization of the NICS background check system by removing the cost involved as well as allowing the check to be done anywhere that an internet connection was available.
I had actually considered this a while back and rejected the idea for the following reasons:
- you can do essentially the same thing right now by requiring the buyer produce his/her LTCH
- many staunch 2A defenders would see this as a foot in the door for mandatory UBCs
- many staunch 2A defenders are at the point where ANY further restrictions on firearms are unacceptable
- NICS returns quite a few "false positives" (or so I've heard; including your SSN apparently reduces the chance of a false positive at the risk of revealing private information)
- potential for government surveillance (IP addresses and other information could be stored)
What says INGO?