Shepherd Express: Study Suggests Additional Background Checks Deter Gun Deaths
An article from the Shepherd Express on June 11th, 2008 reported on the appalling loophole that allow private gun transactions, and firearm sales at gun shows, to be conducted without common sense background checks.
Gun purchases at federally licensed dealers must first pass a background check, but secondary gun transfers do not have the same requirements. That’s why so many prohibited gun purchasers, such as convicted felons, domestic abusers, those hospitalized for mental illness, and teens are able to obtain guns.
The Shepherd Express writes:
A Big Loophole Remains
The [Medical College of Wisconsin] MCW researchers found that states that implemented local-level background checks had 22% lower firearm homicide rates and 27% lower firearm suicide rates than states that relied on just the federal check. States with statelevel background checks also had lower rates of firearm suicides and homicides than states without them, but local checks appear to be the most effective.
Given the results, Layde suggests two policy approaches: More states could include local agencies in the background checking process, or the NICS could be supplemented with additional information on factors where local records may be more complete.
Jeri Bonavia, executive director of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, says that the study shows that background checks work, and that they are more effective when they are more thorough. She adds, however, that even requiring additional background checks at licensed dealers will not address the biggest contributor to gun violence: the private sale of guns.
“If you’re buying a gun from a licensed gun dealer, you need to show identification and go through a background check,” Bonavia explains. “But if you buy a gun from an unlicensed dealer or private seller, which is perfectly legal, there’s no background check required, no ID required. Those sales are legal in Wisconsin and they are the source of the vast majority of crime guns… about 90% of crime guns in Wisconsin and nationwide come from this secondary market.”
Addressing this loophole, she says, is imperative to reducing the firearm homicide rate. “It’s amazing to me that we’re asking the question ‘how are these criminals getting guns?’ when we’re not even trying to prevent them,” she said.