Back on December 1, 2008, I posted a piece entitled "We Gun Owners Aren't Doing a Very Good Job..." It can be found under "Older Posts."
I commented on how many questions I get every week on how to go about "registering" a gun--or if a gun someone wanted to buy had to be "registered." Or if a gun someone had inherited had to have the "registration" transferred to their name.
In every case I apoplectically explained to the people that while they are obviously not firearms enthusiasts, they should be outraged at the mere thought they would have to register their guns.
Most react with a sheepish "Oh. I guess you're right. I didn't think about that."
Most folks have heard of gun registration, and being non-gun enthusiasts, they don't stop to think about the effects of having their guns listed with a central governmental authority. Once the results of such an occurrence are explained to them, they are far more defiant in their attitudes concerning registration.
In the course of the posting, I described the background check (Called a "NICS" check by gun dealers) run on gun purchases, and stated the information obtained by the FBI during such a check cannot be retained by the Feebies--but must be fleeting and transitory. In short, they can check your criminal history, but they can't keep the information.
For a while after this process was instituted, it was discovered that the FBI was actually retaining the information on gun purchasers in direct contravention of the program as ordered by Congress.
When Congress got wind of this method of thwarting its order, it raised itself in great wrath, and smote the FBI, ordering that organization to cease and desist all record keeping of gun purchasers. They rapidly ended the practice--or at least, the Feebies have managed to hide any further transgressions from Congress.
Of course, there are those amongst us that will always doubt, and I myself am a great believer in paranoia.
Paranoia keeps you safe. Paranoia will make you constantly check your rear, to be sure something isn't creeping up on you.
So Mr. Anonymous, with his healthy dose of paranoia, asked "If they only use it to verify that I have not committed a felony etc. than why do they call out the serial number of the brand new firearm that I am purchasing? What do they need the serial number for?"
Which struck me as an excellent question, one of which I had never thought before.
Why Indeed?
If they are NOT keeping records, why do they need the serial number and type of gun you are buying?
Thus I showed my own lack of observation, since I do buy my fair share of guns.
I really never paid much attention when a dealer called in my pertinents. I've never been delayed even once, so I've never listened very closely to what was being said, other than the facts stating I didn't have three eyes, or a background dallying in arson.
I contacted a couple of dealers who call in NICS checks daily--I was assured no information about the particular gun was relayed to the FBI. No serial number, no gun description is offered in a NICS check--except whether it is a long gun or handgun. Even then, I take offense...why do they have to know even that? But considering the state of the Union, I can live with the way it is done.
It's a lot better here than anywhere else in the world, folks. And that is not to be construed as caving in to the machine.
No, we need to be ever-vigilant, and scream loud and long anytime our gun ownership rights are abrogated in any manner.
Only when we make them realize we are here, we are loud, we are vocal, and we vote, will we assure they approach any firearms ownership limitations with great fear.
We need to squeal like the proverbial pig at the slightest affront. We need to make them hear us and be put on notice that to tread on our rights will bring consequences--dire results that could remove their snouts from the trough.
Be paranoid. Be quick. Be loud.
It works.
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