The ReRegulation Age: Ending Gun Trafficking

Author: Sara Hilbert

An emotionally rousing debate has long swirled around the purchase and use of handguns and rifles. On one side, the National Rifle Association and its loyal members strongly claim their right through the constitutional rights to keep arms and secure one’s home. On the other, crime statistics and anti-violence organizations view the problem as unregulated gun use. Whichever side you stand on equal resistance is between both parties, leaving this issue no solutions for compromise as of yet. Frank R. Lautenberg, senator from New Jersey, is sponsoring a bill that could finally bring some reconciliation.

Lautenberg’s bill, S.3634, seeks to “to reduce gun trafficking by prohibiting bulk purchases of handguns”, officially cited as the “End Gun Trafficking Act 2008.” It is the prohibition against multiple handgun sales or purchases that has been shipped both from within the states and abroad. It would also make only one handgun purchase during any 30-day period legal, unless a person has a license as outlined by US Code Section 923. The Attorney General for gun and/or ammunition manufacturing, dealing, and/or importing, thereby prevents most people from buying “bulk purchases”, issues these licenses. With the exception of an exchange of one handgun for another, the transfer of a handgun by a state entity, this includes United States government agencies, all law enforcement officials, and rail officers. Additionally, the bill would increase imprisonment from one year to five if a person found making false statements in connections with firearms. Another interesting part, the retention of records (922(t) (2) (C) of title 18, United States Code) would be amended “by inserting not less than 180 days after the transfer is allowed, before destroy.”

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a strong force in the political realm to protect these second amendment rights. This group has also gone to dramatic lengths to raise funds that heavily influence members of congress to ensure gun rights for Americans largely while lying relatively low under the public’s eye. One of their campaign slogans, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”, puts the responsibility into the hands of the owner claiming if a ruling made to take guns off the street or heavily regulated licensing on gun trade it would only hurt the law-abiding citizens. These same supporters push that criminals are insane, and if they wanted to hurt someone these types of laws would only push them to use another weapon or steal a gun – not preventing any crime what-so-ever. Richard Feldman, author of “Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist” exposes the NRA “as a cynical, mercenary political cult obsessed with wielding power while exploiting member’s fear in order to maximize contributions.”‘

NRA Headquarters located in Fairfax, VA

People are beginning to realize the need for gun control, as of this past election, a surprising18 out of 26 US Senate candidates backed by the NRA lost their race. Our country is beginning to realize the glamour associated with hyper-violence and use of guns as a way to get revenge and take control. Whatever the cause school shootings, murder, or suicide the idea is clear. Guns intend to level the playing field and serve as a symbol to equalize the situation at hand. The United States is the only civilized country that does not have gun restriction laws. Therefore, the myth prevails, guns are power and power is justice.

This legislation does not kick down your door to seize your gun that you clutch in your arms like your first-born. This is sensible regulation for necessary licensing, awareness, and lawful-restriction. Since the recent election there is strong anxiety in the air; a myriad of people are running around stockpiling handguns and rifles. It makes one question the difference between the appreciation for gun ownership and irrational limits others take for gun ownership. If a situation pushes you to accumulate a surplus of guns out of fear or need for power, it reinforces and normalizes the lie that guns have become the idealized way for solutions.