Leahy Pushes Background Checks, But Little Else

nationaljournal.com ^ | 31 January, 2012 | Rebecca Kaplan

[marktwain]

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., will oversee any legislation on gun control that makes its way to the Senate floor. At the first in a series of congressional hearings on the issue Wednesday, his line of questioning suggested that expanded background checks and closing the so-called gun show loophole will be top priorities — and perhaps the only ones that stand a chance in the full Senate.

Displaying his background as a Vermont prosecutor, Leahy confronted National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre on whether he had changed his support for mandatory instant criminal background checks at gun shows that he voiced in a 1999 House Judiciary subcommittee hearing.

When LaPierre avoided giving a direct answer, he got a rebuke. “That’s not my question,” he said. “Please, Mr. LaPierre, I’m not trying to play games here.”

LaPierre ultimately said that he no longer supported expanding background checks to purchases at gun shows because “the law right now is a failure.” Despite his four attempts to get an answer, Leahy seemed unsatisfied.

Leahy, a gun owner himself, is more of a centrist on gun control. Although he voted for the 1994 assault-weapons Ban, he has stopped short of endorsing proposals by either the White House or fellow Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein to reinstate the ban. Though the Judiciary chairman has appeared open to discussing a limitation on high-capacity magazines this year, he did not make that a focus of his opening remarks or questioning at the hearing.

Without his support, it will be that much more difficult for more liberal members of the committee to get their legislation to the Senate floor. Last week, Leahy introduced his own legislation along with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that seeks to help law-enforcement officials combat the straw purchase of firearms.

[marktwain]

"Universal Background Checks" is just code for movement toward Universal Gun Registration, which is effectively gun confiscation over time. It might take decades, but the result the same. Once started, it is a very hard process to stop.

[Bryan24]

Whether you have a list of “Approved” gun buyers, or, a list of “Prohibited” gun buyers, you still have to have positive identification of whoever is purchasing the weapon.

The bottom line here is “Are we ready for National ID System” of some type?

[rktman]

ala Nancy Reagan: “Just say NO!”.

Molon labe.

[umgud]

Universal background checks won’t work (for them) without registration. Without registration, how could it be proven when and where private party sales take place?

If they get universal background checks now, you can bet they’ll get registration after the next mass shooting.

[Standing Wolf]

I’ll think about taking so-called “background checks” seriously when I see President You Didn’t Build That pass one.

[G Larry]

Some Republican should hand him a bill calling for drug lords and gang bangers to run background checks on new recruits, before arming them.

[ModelBreaker]

This, I think, is the gold ring the rats are reaching for this time around. It’s 95% of what they want and will produce full registration and confiscation eventually.

[mosesdapoet]

Democrats and RINOS
GOD DENIERS AND CONGENITAL LIARS
ARE REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH INCITERS/
FOR FIRST YOUR MONEY THEN YOUR GUNS
AND BE DEFENSELESS WHEN CROOKS COME

Makes a great index sized palmcard to pass around if printed up