I'm Just a Bill

Political opportunists wasted zero time in taking advantage of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, attacking the foundation of the Second Amendment. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz(D-Fla.) introduced a bill called the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018 requiring background checks on purchasers of ammunition. They reportedly claim to be trying to close a “loophole” in the current law. They argue that this “common-sense legislation” is needed to make us and our children safe. However, there is scant information available to determine the sensibility of the proposed legislation.

As a neophyte jumping into the fray trying to curb “gun violence,” I can’t help but wonder about a few things. The first thing that comes to mind is what exactly will the background check on ammunition accomplish that the background check on guns not accomplish? After all, the law will require sellers of ammunition to use the same National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as the sellers of guns. If the system is working, a “bad guy" should not be able to purchase a gun in the first place and therefore have no need to purchase ammunition. If the system is not working and a “bad” guy is able to obtain a gun through illegal means despite the NICS system, then how is the NICS system supposed to stop this same “bad” guy from getting ammo?

Secondly, what is the anticipated cost and burden associated with this proposed requirement? Also, how effective is this proposed legislation forecasted to be in achieving its goal of reducing gun violence given the cost? Finally, why only propose legislation to reduce so called gun violence as opposed to all violence? Specifically, why doesn’t this legislation address the link alcohol plays in aggressive and violent behavior? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism published an alert claiming published studies find a link between violence and alcohol consumption. In fact, they referenced one study that found “42 percent of violent crimes reported to the police involved alcohol.” Other studies reported “up to 86% of homicide offenders” were drinking at the time of their crime.

It just begs the question of what is the real purpose of this proposed legislation and why is there no public debate? Perhaps it is because the proposal must get substantial support before making the long journey to become a law. Maybe and more likely, this legislation is only intended to be a feel good law offered to provide a cheap political score. Either way, it is comforting to know that this proposal is still just a bill.

#legislation #gunviolence #Politics