NRA, GOAL oppose ‘universal background check’ legislation

Seattle Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 1 February, 2013 | Dave Workman

[marktwain]

The National Rifle Association was out late yesterday with a blistering criticism of House Bill 1588 which would require “universal background checks” on all firearms transactions in Washington State, and Examiner has learned that the Gun Owner’s Action League of Washington “will take a similar tone” in this evening’s on-line edition of The GOAL Post.

The NRA’s move was hardly unexpected in the wake of Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre’s testimony Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee during which he tangled with anti-gun Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) over such checks at the federal level. As reported by this column, LaPierre explained that these checks would prove impotent in the effort to prevent criminals from obtaining firearms, while Durbin insisted that they would discourage criminals from trying to purchase guns from gun shops or gun shows.

Here in Washington, HB 1588 is sponsored by anti-gun State Rep. Jamie Pederson (D-Seattle), who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. He’s joined by State Rep. Mike Hope, a Republican who also happens to be a Seattle police officer.

According to the NRA’s analysis of the legislation, “This bill would create a massive regulatory scheme and a huge burden for law-abiding citizens. It also would require that anytime you sell any firearm to a family member or friend, you will have to go through a gun dealer or law enforcement agency and pay a $20 gun tax, with no guarantee of timely processing. Additionally, while Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders are currently exempt from having to undergo a background check when purchasing a firearm from a dealer, there is no provision in this bill that extends the CPL exemption to private sales.”

[marktwain]

Just what I have been saying all along. "Universal Background Check" is code for "Universal Gun Registration".