Horrific Newtown, CT school shooting

[joeydb]

What occurred to me was that this guy probably couldn't even have bought a gun had he chosen to do so.

But, to be sure, if he had committed a felony or was registered as psychotic, the computer check would have flagged him.

We already have this kind of computer check in place (which I was in favor of). We already register the guns when bought. We ought to be tracking the crazy people as well as we do the guns.

Then all you have to do is make sure that if you're on the crazy list, you don't get on the gun owner list. Like the lists they have at the airport to make sure suspected terrorists don't get airline tickets.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by joeydb

What occurred to me was that this guy probably couldn't even have bought a gun had he chosen to do so.

But, to be sure, if he had committed a felony or was registered as psychotic, the computer check would have flagged him.

We already have this kind of computer check in place (which I was in favor of). We already register the guns when bought. We ought to be tracking the crazy people as well as we do the guns.

Then all you have to do is make sure that if you're on the crazy list, you don't get on the gun owner list. Like the lists they have at the airport to make sure suspected terrorists don't get airline tickets.

which is why i said private sales should be banned. people don't do background checks, but dealers have to in order to stay in business and keep their license.
there are guns for sale every week in the local paper. no way the sellers are doing checks. at the turkey banquet every year, we have someone there to do all the required paperwork for each gun that is bought or won. they can't take the gun home until they've been cleared; we have a licensed dealer handle it all.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Danzig

which is why i said private sales should be banned. people don't do background checks, but dealers have to in order to stay in business and keep their license.
there are guns for sale every week in the local paper. no way the sellers are doing checks. at the turkey banquet every year, we have someone there to do all the required paperwork for each gun that is bought or won. they can't take the gun home until they've been cleared; we have a licensed dealer handle it all.

Now I see - after reading this I think your position is pretty close to where I am. I don't want a ban on sales, but like automobiles these are items that should be tracked as sales occur.

[GPK]

I don't know all the particulars about selling a gun (it's been years since I bought one), but I work at a place that sells firearms (no handguns) and I do know that there is a sh*tload of paperwork and identification that goes into selling one, along with a waiting period for State Police background check. Those that do sell the guns are trained to listen for certain phrases and words, and if they suspect something, they are given authority to refuse a gun sale.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by GPK

I don't know all the particulars about selling a gun (it's been years since I bought one), but I work at a place that sells firearms (no handguns) and I do know that there is a sh*tload of paperwork and identification that goes into selling one, along with a waiting period for State Police background check. Those that do sell the guns are trained to listen for certain phrases and words, and if they suspect something, they are given authority to refuse a gun sale.

The big loophole that has to be closed is that no background checks are required on purchases at gun shows. I know my extreme opinion on gun availability is in the miority and I'm fine with that, but how the NRA can rationally argue that this in in anyone's best interests is beyond me. Their paranoia that there is this slippery slope from having tougher background checks and better registration standards leading to guns not being available is ridiculous.

The other factor in this tragedy concerns mental illness. Everyone feels so good about themselves for supporting breast cancer walks and wearing cancer bracelets, and obviously, these are all incredibly worthwhile charities fighting horrible diseases, but no one wants to talk about mental illness and the toll and expense it takes on this country. I've heard this guy called a nut and a whacko and while there is ZERO justification for what he did, he was ill and the lack of support from BOTH his parents is appalling. And as a society, until we learn to treat mental illness like we do cancer, this will happen again and again.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GBBob

The big loophole that has to be closed is that no background checks are required on purchases at gun shows. I know my extreme opinion on gun availability is in the miority and I'm fine with that, but how the NRA can rationally argue that this in in anyone's best interests is beyond me. Their paranoia that there is this slippery slope from having tougher background checks and better registration standards leading to guns not being available is ridiculous.

The other factor in this tragedy concerns mental illness. Everyone feels so good about themselves for supporting breast cancer walks and wearing cancer bracelets, and obviously, these are all incredibly worthwhile charities fighting horrible diseases, but no one wants to talk about mental illness and the toll and expense it takes on this country. I've heard this guy called a nut and a whacko and while there is ZERO justification for what he did, he was ill and the lack of support from BOTH his parents is appalling. And as a society, until we learn to treat mental illness like we do cancer, this will happen again and again.

there should always be background checks.
and you're right, mental illness still takes a backseat. and this is another example of a guy with serious issues with parents who did nothing about it. and now it's too late. a friend of mine lost her son a few months back, shot and killed by a 17 year old with years of issues that people knew about-but no one did anything about. now he's in jail, and will be for the rest of his life. not long ago, his parents (divorced) both petitioned to have their son moved to a mental health facility, rather than keep him in jail awaiting trial. they did this out of 'concern'. too bad they waited til after a life altering crime was committed to become so damned concerned.