American Progress: Here's what Obama could do *today* to curb gun crime:

[Robb]

American Progress: Recommendations for Executive Action to Combat Illegal Gun Trafficking, Gun Crime

The U.S. Senate vote on April 17, 2013, defeated a proposal to expand background checks for gun purchases. It was only the first round in the newly invigorated movement to enact common-sense legislation to reduce gun violence in our country. And while the moderate bipartisan proposal failed to gain the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster, a majority of senators voted in favor of this legislation, which has overwhelming public support in all corners of the country. Efforts are underway to gather more support for this legislation and proponents are hopeful that the measure will ultimately be enacted.

In the meantime, there are a number of actions President Barack Obama can take that do not require approval by Congress. The president began this process in January 2013 by signing 23 executive actions to address gun violence in the United States, including measures to ensure that more records are provided to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, nominating a director for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and directing the Centers for Disease Control to resume research into gun violence. We urge the administration to take additional actions using its existing authority both to improve the federal government’s ability to prevent dangerous individuals from acquiring or possessing guns and to enhance law-enforcement investigations of gun-related crime.

1. Develop a risk-assessment instrument to identify denied gun purchasers who are most at risk for future violence

2. Establish an alert system for failed background checks

3. Conduct background checks of gun-dealer employees

4. Verify the validity of a purchaser’s identification document as part of every NICS check

5. Require manufacturers to put multiple serial numbers on guns

6. Expand multiple-sale reporting

7. Penalize states that fail to provide records to NICS

8. Make disarming prohibited domestic abusers a priority

9. Incentivize gun-dealer inventory checks

10. Impose tighter restrictions on dealer inventory liquidations following a license revocation

11. Inspect dealer inventory for stolen guns

12. Form a joint task force with ATF and the FBI to investigate Internet-facilitated gun crimes

Read More: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/civil-liberties/report/2013/06/10/65494/recommendations-for-executive-action-to-combat-illegal-gun-trafficking-and-gun-crime/

[Recursion]

1. Hey, cool: 12 steps to reduce gun violence that Robb and Recursion agree on

Good piece.

[premium]

2. I agree with this,

so why doesn't Pres. Obama do it through an EO?

[Lizzie Poppet]

3. Those are all sensible steps.

Those are all sensible steps, none of which constitute an infringement of anyone's rights.

[pipoman]

4. How about regulatory change

for FFLs requiring them to do NICS checks for anyone who asks in a timely manner for a low statutory fee, say $20? As it is now, FFLs have access to a system which is free to them and a fair number aren't interested in doing private sale transfers, or they charge too much (it takes 10 or 15 minutes and a phone call...there is no excuse for charging $40 or 60 for access to a government data base IMO), or they put them off until the person just goes away.

The FBI knows almost instantly when an NICS check results in denial. If the denial is because the person is a felon or because of a domestic violence restraining order, why isn't there someone on the attempted buyer's stoop before the sun goes down?

"Penalize states that fail to provide records to NICS" I agree, however there is a states rights problem with enforcement of "unfunded mandates".

"Inspect dealer inventory for stolen guns" This could be simply accomplished by requiring FFL dealers to call an NCIC operator with the serial number prior to or shortly after purchase of any used gun..


"Form a joint task force with ATF and the FBI to investigate Internet-facilitated gun crimes", I don't know what "Internet-facilitated gun crimes" they are talking about. The only internet sales which don't require a bg check are intrastate sales from localized classified ads, all others require checks. I have never seen or heard of a forum "for sale" or internet auction private seller who wasn't completely compliant...and all FFLs who sell on the internet have to conduct checks or transfer to another FFL. I think the internet deal is a effort wasting red herring floated by people who don't understand the existing system, or they do understand it and wish to confuse people who don't as has happened numerous times by gun control advocates..

[NickB79]

5. I only have a question regarding #5

What is the purpose in putting multiple serial numbers on firearms? It was my understanding that even a filed-off serial number on a gun could be retrieved through modern forensic methods.

Otherwise, good list. I especially like #2, alerting someone when an NICS check comes back denied. That's been a pet peeve of mine for many years. If you get denied on your background check, you most likely lied on the 4473 form you filled out in an attempt to buy the firearm. It states clearly on the 4473 form that it is a FELONY to knowingly lie on said form. I observed two men on two separate occasions get denied during NICS checks when I worked in a sporting goods shop in college. Nothing happened, they just walked out the door and the paperwork went into our records to gather dust.

Every time I hear a politician claim X number of felons have been denied a gun through the NICS background check, I always wonder why X number of felons aren't back in prison instead of just allowed to walk free.

[pipoman]

6. I agree, but

the FBI is already notified of denials yet they only investigate like 2%..further, when NICS delays a decision and after 2 business days (IIRC) they don't get back to the ffl, the delay is considered approval and the gun goes out the door. If after that the person is found to be disqualified, the FBI is notified and are supposed to retrieve the gun from the unlawful owner..that doesn't get done either..it is maddening that a list daily is available to the FBI of people who were denied that day, many of whom are felons actively trying to buy guns, and they do nothing at all..no, I really don't think anyone wants to reduce gun violence or this one true loophole would easily be fixed by this administration or any other..this is exactly what executive orders are about..ordering appropriation of funds and man power within the federal government to any lawful cause..astounding it is..