As TTAG readers are well aware, the push for so-called “universal” background checks is actually just a call to ban private sales of firearms—a longstanding American tradition since before our country was founded.
Of course, background checks will never be “universal,” since criminals will steal their guns, buy them on the street or barter with other gang members for them. The result is background checks that are only “universal” for law-abiding Americans, not the criminals who are really behind America’s violence problem.
Despite all that, Democrats in the U.S. Senate have again introduced a measure calling for “universal” background checks. Gun-hating U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, is leading the effort, with a total of 45 other Democratic senators signed on to sponsor the “Background Check Expansion Act,” which they claim will encompass “all gun sales.”
As Sen. Murphy explained in a press release announcing the legislation, the requirement extends to all unlicensed sellers, whether they do business online, at gun shows or out of their homes. And, of course, Sen. Murphy was quick to quote questionable polling numbers in seeking support for his measure.
“Nearly 90 percent of Americans—including the overwhelming majority of gun owners—support universal background checks,” Sen. Murphy said. “It’s just common sense that somebody who can’t pass a background check shouldn’t be able to buy a deadly firearm. As Trump endangers lives by getting rid of successful, bipartisan programs that brought down gun violence rates, we’re working to keep guns away from violent criminals and make communities safer.”
It’s also common sense that criminals who can’t pass a background check are still going to find a way to get a gun. That seems like a no-brainer, yet Democrat gun haters won’t even consider the thought.
Increasingly irrelevant Sen. Chuck Schumer, another Democrat who has never heard a gun-ban proposal he didn’t completely embrace, also spoke out in favor of the measure.
“A few years ago, the Senate proved we could enact commonsense gun reform with the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. But we must go further,” Sen. Schumer said. “A vast majority of Americans support background checks, and it’s nothing but obedience to the gun lobby and special interests to continue to block the will of the people. As the author of the original Brady Bill, I have dedicated my career to fighting tooth and nail to advance gun safety legislation. This legislation is a vital, broadly supported and long-overdue step in the right direction and will save countless lives in our country from the scourge of gun violence.”
Of course, the gun-ban group called Everytown for Gun Safety, which has pumped millions of dollars into Democrat coffers over the years, was quick to fawn all over Sen. Murphy for his bill.
“Background checks are the bedrock of any serious plan to reduce gun violence, and with more than 90% support in poll after poll, it’s both good policy and good politics,” Everytown President John Feinblatt said. “We’re grateful Senator Murphy is once again leading the charge to close deadly gaps in our laws, and keep guns out of dangerous hands.”
Read the full article here