House Dems Pass Two Gun-Control Bills freebeacon.com/guns/house-dem…
HR 8 would outlaw the private transfer of used guns without going through a licensed dealer with a few exceptions. HR 1446 extends how long the FBI can delay an "instant" background check an extra 17 business days. They both passed largely along party lines.
The same proposals passed in 2019 but never got a vote in the Senate. Maybe they will this time around but they face a big hurdle in getting to 60 votes. HR 8's "universal background check" proposal is more likely to pass than HR 1446's "Charleston loophole."
HR 1446 advocates point to the 2015 Charleston shooting to justify the bill because the killer bought his gun after a delay and many media outlets repeat this. But it's a misnomer because it was an FBI mistake that led to this rather than the length of the delay.
Additionally, the FBI does not just stop trying after the current 3-day window for delayed background checks expires. If they find the buyer is prohibited after they buy the gun, they send the ATF to collect it. This happens a couple thousand times per year.
The FBI could have done this in the two months between when the Charleston shooter picked up his gun and committed his shooting. But they didn't because the FBI simply screwed up the background check and didn't find the disqualifying court case.
HR 1446 opponents also argue it could create an endless loop. Rep. Clyburn (D., S.C.), who introduced the bill, explained at the time it extends the initial delay period to 10-business-days. If a buyer is still waiting after that they can file a petition to expedite the check.
If the check still isn't completed 10-business-days after the petition is filed, the sale can proceed. That's 20-business-days. The problem is a check is only good for 30-calendar-days. If it expires, the whole process would have to repeat.
Opponents say this would allow the FBI to effectively delay a purchase indefinitely without ever providing evidence the buyer has any record baring them from owning a gun.
You can read the full story for more details on both bills and the arguments both for and against them: freebeacon.com/guns/house-dem…
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