OPPOSE the Criminalization of Private Firearms Transfers
Virginia: OPPOSE the Criminalization of Private Firearms Transfers
"Universal" background checks do not stop criminals
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 75 percent of criminals in state and federal state prison who had possessed a firearm during their offense acquired the firearm through theft, “Off the street/underground market,” or “from a family member or friend, or as a gift.” Less than one percent got firearms from dealers or non-dealers at gun shows.
Criminals defeat the background check system by getting guns through straw purchasers. ATF has reported, “[t]he most frequent type of trafficking channel identified in ATF investigations is straw purchasing from federally licensed firearms dealers. Nearly 50 percent....”
In a 2018 study, researchers at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the UC Davis School of Medicine found that comprehensive background checks and prohibitions based on violent misdemeanors “were not associated with changes in firearm suicide or homicide.”
"Universal" background checks facilitate firearms registration
The National Instant Criminal Background Check Systems (NICS) would become a registry of firearm transfers if all firearms transfers were subject to NICS checks and the FBI retained records of approved checks indefinitely, both of which gun control supporters have proposed. This is because such records include information currently maintained on federal Form 4473, documenting the identity of the firearm purchaser and the make, model and serial number of the firearm transferred. Over time, as people sell or bequeath their firearms, a registry of firearm transfers would become a registry of firearms possessed.
There is no "gun show loophole" or "online sales loophole"
Federal law requires all firearm dealers to be licensed and to initiate a NICS check before transferring a firearm to a non-dealer, regardless of where the transfer takes place or of how people communicate about selling/buying a firearm. Virginia law already requires the state police to be available to perform background checks for firearm transfers between non-dealers at gun shows.
The "40 percent" myth
In January 2013, the Washington Post gave President Obama "Three Pinocchios" for claiming that 40 percent of firearms are sold without a background check, and noted that the authors of the study upon which the claim is based say, “we don’t know the current percentage, nor does anyone else.”
There is no overwhelming support for "universal" background checks
Gun control supporters claim that 92 percent of Americans support background checks on all firearm transfers. In November 2014, a background check ballot initiative in Washington was approved by only 59 percent of voters. In November 2016, Maine voters rejected a background check referendum by a margin of 52 to 48 percent, while Nevada voters narrowly adopted an unenforceable background check measure 50.45 to 49.55 percent.
"Universal" background checks would not have prevented the Virginia Beach tragedy
According to law enforcement, the perpetrator of the shooting in Virginia Beach legally purchased the firearms used in the attack.
Gov. Northam recently suggested that this is not a complete list of the gun control measures he wants the General Assembly to consider. Read the latest articles.
It's critical that every gun owner in the Commonwealth contact their legislators and urge them to OPPOSE Gov. Northam’s and his media allies' gun control agenda.
NRA-ILA is hosting town hall meetings throughout Virginia— including in Fredericksburg, Ashland, and Belle Haven.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Yesterday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1191 by a 28 to 11 vote. Sponsored by Senator Tommy Norment ...
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Today, at 4:00 P.M., the Virginia House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 will hold a hearing on 11 ...
Saturday, January 24, 2015
On Monday, January 26, at 8:00 A.M., the Senate Courts of Justice Committee is holding a hearing in ...
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Advocates and opponents of gun control held dueling demonstrations at the Virginia Capitol on Monday as the perennial ...
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Yesterday, the House Courts of Justice Criminal Law Subcommittee reported House Bill 43 by a 7-3 vote. Sponsored by pro-gun Delegate ...
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Several bills proposed during the 2013 session of the General Assembly that would have required background checks for ...
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Tomorrow, January 22, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee will meet to consider and vote on several bills ...
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sometimes the worst possible gift for a liberal is to give him everything he wants. President Obama no ...
Monday, January 2, 2012
Gov. Bob McDonnell said if it's legally feasible, he'd support doing away with Virginia's 22-year-old criminal background check ...