United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- Often, when threats to the Second Amendment are discussed, the focus is on bans on modern multi-purpose semi-automatic firearms, licensing and registration schemes, and universal background checks. However, a lot of other attacks are coming, and many are under the radar – but can still have a huge effect.
One such bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Norma Torres (D-CA). The legislation is officially known as H.R. 4324. The title is “The Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act of 2019.” On the face of it, it does seem unobjectionable – but on closer examination, it’s a bad bill and makes the situation worse for law-abiding citizens who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Under current law, located at 18 USC 923(g)(3)(A), federally licensed dealers are required to report the sale of multiple handguns (the text of the law says, “two or more pistols, or revolvers, or any combination of pistols and revolvers totaling two or more”). The justification for the current reporting requirement, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, is to fight firearms trafficking. The ATF reportedly estimates that half of illegally trafficked guns start out as straw purchases.
Now, current laws for firearms trafficking are pretty harsh, especially when the person is buying the guns for criminals, drug dealers, fugitives, etc. In 1999, the NRA ran a tab on the prison sentences one very small-time operator who ran just five guns would get. The total was 995 years in prison. But when was the last time you ever heard of someone getting hit with a serious sentence for any of this?
Congresswoman Torres wants it expanded to all firearms – including rifles and shotguns of any type. In a press release issued the day the legislation was issued, Torres claims this is a “commonsense solution to make communities safer.” She makes a big deal about modern multi-purpose semiautomatic firearms, as well.
Sounds reasonable, right? For many Americans, it does. Then again, they don’t know what we know. When a person looks at the facts about rifles and their misuse in crime (more accurately, the lack of their misuse in crime), or if they have seen the latest crime data from the Justice Department, this legislation is not as reasonable as Representative Torres makes it out to be.
In essence, if you were to get a family member interested in cowboy-action shooting a revolver and lever-action rifle (say a Taurus 608 and a Marlin 1894C, both in .357 Magnum), the FFL would now have to fill out a multiple firearms sales report. The same would apply if you were buying three Ruger 8323 bolt-action rifles. That’s extra paperwork for guns not often used to commit crimes. IF the laws were enforced, it would be a minor hassle.
The problem is, of course, that it seems the laws on the books don’t get enforced – or they aren’t enforced enough to deter those who would engage in firearms trafficking. So that really tips the balance on this law as a low-grade, stealthy attack on our rights. It adds one more hoop to be jumped through – not as onerous as having to wait weeks for a license or be arrested for an innocent mistake as which happens all too often in New Jersey, but it is still an infringement.
Second Amendment supporters should take the time to contact their Representative and Senators and politely urge them to oppose this legislation. Let them know that there are laws on the books that should be enforced with regard to the misuse of firearms.
About Harold Hutchison
Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics and Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.
Everything that happens at the Federal level has an impact nationwide. My name is Mike Cargile and I am running against Norma Torres here in CA. This kind of government overreach MUST stop! My race cannot be looked at as a local contest when it’s affect is on ALL Americans. Please spread the word and ask people to support my effort… for ALL of us. http://www.CargileForCongress.com. If anyone wants to speak to me directly, my cell phone is 818-640-8146.
I see this is the beginnings of a communist registration scheme. No doubt the proposed legislation includes a provision that would effectively register these firearms into a database.
Personally I have never been one to adhere to conformity,needless to say our governments.I am involved with a few 2A rights org’s. I’ve been throwin’ $$ at my rights for years now,Shooting,Hunting,Fishing etc. It’s blatantly clear what,and how the countries’ Constitution reads.I just gotta ask,and I do have my Flack Jacket handy…To those in the know…Who praytel is the “go-to guy” for the DC lawlessness BS to go away?? The machine is “perpetually outta’ control”. Liberal Left just keeps shittin’ out these BS Bills that are just that null,void,and lawless.There are LAWS already,already,already,already.Does anyone have any idea if there’s an… Read more »
The truth is… there is no legitimacy in the regulations they propose…. not to keep us safe anyway. Look at the “criminal” end of their policies. Just last week a career criminal was released after a felony arrest due to the Liberal NY governors policies on actual CRIMINALS. The felon raped and murdered a 92 year old woman with 48 hours. These laws are designed to disarm law-abiding citizens who believe that the Government is subservient to the people as intended by the Constitution. Politicians are now the wealthiest group of Americans. They want power.. and without a means to… Read more »
We The People as individuals are the “go-to-guy” for any anti-Constitution activities. Preferably at the ballot box. When that fails, we have the Second Amendment to right the state of affairs. Our Founding Father would already have been finished shooting a second time.
Simply put
Yet, most all gun owners in the United States practice passive obedience. I argued, on a gun rights conference call, with a woman in Northern California after I called them cowards and that they kneel and lick the hand of the tyrant. She was indignant and said they were all ‘Patriots’. I said, “No, you are wrong. EVERY one of you, if you have an AR15, have NO pistol grip, a fixed 10 round magazine, NO collapsible stock, NO flash suppressor. No…you kneel and lick the hand of the tyrant.” She hung up. She knew I was correct. The Founding… Read more »
We the PEOPLE are NOT OWNED BY ANY HUMAN PERIOD. Nor do you to tell ANYONE what they may or may not have or do PERIOD. As long as someone does not PURPOSELY (outside of self defense and Tyranny) hurt someone else or someone else’s property there is NO CRIME NO HUMAN has a say. ANY human wannabe control B.S. so called law against PEOPLES FREEDOM and RIGHTS is an infringement. I don’t give a F how you word it or if you make it sound like its for the greater good of all mankind by hopefully preventing some future… Read more »
Reporting two handgun purchases a month by FFL holders has been the BATF’s ‘law’ since the late 1980s.
All gun ‘laws’ are unconstitutional. It is a sorry thing that so many Americans kneel to the tyrant.
I’m willing to bet fewer Americans kneel than you think. I would also bet that in the very near future we will find out that we (Patriots, 2A supporters, contributory Americans) are not the minority we are led to believe.
Historically, those with the loudest voices are the weakest and least resolute. It’s just a terrible shame that it has come to this
Harold, thanks for the notification of another rights to arms suppression act. If a right denied underclass of citizens did not exist there would be no pretense for such acts. A free flow of arms among private citizens is necessary to protect rights. This free flow has been clogged to a trickle that will easily be cut off. As will rights. Unlawful trafficking of firearms should not be unlawful. Citizens believing a law unconstitutional should believe the law should not be enforced. The basic purpose of codifying the right to arms is to prevent being forced to comply with unconstitutional… Read more »
Not one step back! Shall not be infringed means no! And the prior infringements need to be removed!
Replace it with,”if you do evil with a weapon, then by that weapon or one identical to it you will be executed after conviction by jury trial! Your remains to be interred in a landfill.”
Do not waste landfill space, throw them into an incinerator, then toss their ashes into a hog waste lagoon!
The Founding Fathers told us to ignore all unconstitutional ‘laws’
They specifically stated that all laws not in 100% harmony with the Constitution are null & void.
We should mandate that all politicians take a remedial reading class which will entail simple comprehension and vocabulary mastery. It should be a minimum of hours needed to understand the meaning of only four words. Upon completion of the hours designated to be required the politician would receive a diploma to hang on the wall of their office and a license to practice being a politician. The diploma will read as following…In honor of so and so, they have completed the necessary class room study to complete with complete understanding of the following four words…SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. Let’s start… Read more »
There should be no career politicians. Two years… that’s it… and it should NEVER have become a primary occupation. 50k a year. That’s it. Involvement in community and government is an honor and a duty.. not a career… they are REPRESENTATIVES of the PEOPLE!! The current state of our REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC is a farcical abomination. It is time to restructure.
I read the article all the way through and didn’t get a whiff of “Haroldness”.
…that is until the “support your team” at the end.
FFS Harold the 2A is not a football team!
What are you referring to?
VS what? that we all act individually? Gun control types would LOVE for us to not coordinate or work together as a team.
Then, why does Ammoland have a non-stop hate fest with the NRA?
Why does Ammoland repeat the lies of the anti-gunners and SAF & GOA against the NRA?
Blithely doing the bidding of the anti-gun communists.
Harold, well done. This kind of insidious administrative creep is exactly what I used to describe “the New Jim Crow” when I talk with folks about their right to keep and bear and keep the noses of progressives out of their gun safes. Once again, a progressive assumption comes in to play: guns are bad, gun people are bad, therefore we must carefully monitor or discourage those who choose to be gun people. The same tactics were used to keep Blacks, Asians, Indians and Indians out of the public square. For progressive and leftist ideology to work victim classes must… Read more »
Semper Fi. Semper Sic Tyrannis.
Nex Ut Tyrannis. (death to the tyrants).
Indians and Indians? Where you referring the Cherokee and Sioux?
I will give Harold due credit on this one. Whether the tone is the one I endorse or not, he DID make us aware of this harmful piece of legislation. As such, I personally think he deserves a pass on it. Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day. I think he is trying.
Only communist democrats want “commie
sense” anything. These politicians are clearly anti-Constitutional and yet they go unchecked and no one can hold them accountable. California is full of idiots masquerading as public servants just waiting to push their socialist agenda.
Don’t underestimate the leftists as far as smarts. I went to school with these clowns at SF State and Berzerkely. They are smart. Just ill informed and miseducated. They will focus all of their energy on destroying you and everything you believe in simply because you choose to be you. They lack in martial skills and spirit but they can hire thugs. What they have in large measure is evil intent.
Time to remove California from the United States —unless they purge their government of traitors.
You have no idea of how many of us trapped in Commiefornia,are trying to leave. This is probably, as most know, the worst of the worst for gun freedom. Question is, where to go as things are in political chaos as to gun control everywhere. Removing CA from the US is a great idea, sadly impractical. Can you just see their armed forces day parade prancing down Hollywood Blvd.,in their rainbow fatigues and slingshots.
I talk with Californians at gun shows here in AZ. I sympathize with them because I was stuck in CA the last 8 years of my career (orders) and got out as soon as I could. If you look at counties like San Bernardino, Kern and many up the valley you see conservative liberty loving people. It is the urban mire that tilts the scale. We fear the same in the People’s Republic of Maricopa or the Demokratic Workers Republic of Tucson. We are running out of places to hide. We have to win the arguement. Get people to the… Read more »
@wally…First if you manage to get out , leave commiefornia politics there .
Second Mexico would love to claim it !
I agree fully with you and before some can get away to spread their agenda everywhere else they go.
Of course THEY don’t enforce the current gun laws. All gun laws, well okay most gun laws, are not enacted as a crime deterrent, most gun laws are enacted as an infringement on what “shall not be infringed”
And this one is a perfect example.
As for contacting my Congressman I don’t have to he’s fine, now my two Senators both Republicans need to get their act together on 2A
Here in western Washington (sorry George) I have Democrat Senators and my Congresswoman is a fairly liberal Dem. We are becoming California north. Our Democrat-controlled house and senate have a whole bunch of infringement bills headed for the desk of our liberal governor. We are screwed.
You could just use different FFLs, or am I missing something?
@Boe, Well, you are correct if there are sufficient FFL holders in your area. Here in East Texas, every thing is rare, to include FFL holders. And, the current at 18 USC 923(g)(3)(A), and Congress woman Torres fail to think about matched sets, which are usually for collecting, rather than shooting.
@Boe; All of the FFLs turn in or report to the Feds. Remember the NICS? They are LEGALLY NOT allowed to keep records. With what they have already shown America, do you believe them? This is what you are missing.
I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean, but “ While federal law requires licensed firearms dealers to collect and maintain sales records for at least 20 years, this requirement does not extend to private sellers. Dealer sales records are not collected in a federal central database.“
@BOE regarding your last sentence , what is suppose to be and what actually happens are totally different things .
Boe, the only way they can be sure that someone isn’t buying multiple firearms from several FFL’s all at once is if they create a gun registry. So, NO THANKS. We’re past this being about guns at this point. This is about us NOT being ruled by TYRANTS.
This is Harold on 2A Rights:
Sign the petition, let’s get rid of this bootlicker. http://chng.it/Sj8VzLz
This was a good pro 2A article. Give him credit for it.
Some times you can be such a dork.
I was referring to Harold. OOPSSS…
You wouldn’t acknowledge a good article from Harold if your life depended on it. You’d probably piss on Harold even if he was found to be the writer of the Biblical book of Romans. That’s a shame really because it shows you’re nothing more than a hate-filled petulant little moron.
You and your stupid little “Ban Harold” petition. As if you and your merry little group of soyboy sycophants carry any weight with the Ammoland editors. How presumptuous and arrogant on your part. But I guess it helps all of you to while away the time in Mom’s basement, right?
Harold…is this you?
That would be my guess. Harold would probably think a book written by Saul of Tarsus ( AKA Paul the Apostle) would be a great man, since he was one of the biggest liars and fools of his time. Harold wouldn’t know the difference between an apostle and a disciple either. And he’d like the idea of the assumed name too. The biblical version of today’s sock puppets.
@Moe – I have praised him, when it was due. It just doesnt happen nearly as often as it should. And I ROFL at your comparison of Harold to Paul. Paul was a genuine badazz, whereas Harold – and you – aren’t. Your bitterness over me holding Harold’s feet to the fire shows that you’re the petulant basement dweller. You really are funny, just don’t take your act on the road, I’d hate to see you starve to death!
@moe,little Harold is just a pissant!
@ Will – every time moe pounds his keyboard like a monkey on crack, the petition to boot Harold gets another 1/2 dozen signatures!! I say let’s troll this SOB so he posts more often, and does all the work for us.
WF: I think Harold might be trying real hard to turn things around. His 1st post this year had some credible info and each one there after has been just a little better than one before.
He’s improved somewhat in terms of the facts presented, but he’s still promoting losing courses of action. If simply writing your congresscritter were effective, America would be a veritable paradise already! Truth is, the very people responsible for the present tyranny are the ones he suggests we plead with. We all saw how they ignored the determined will of 50,000 people in Richmond a week ago, saying they’re gonna keep on goosestepping on your rights. No, we’re past civil discourse. It’s time to ACT, time to RESIST, time to PUSH BACK. Harold needs to get out of the bad box… Read more »
Riiiight… go beg your district’s current tyrant to Pwease No Steppy, etc., etc. At some point free Americans have to draw a hard line and brutally enforce it against any and all violators. The rights-takers won’t stop taking till they are FORCED to stop!! Every cuck out there who says “violence should be our last resort” is ACTUALLY saying ‘I am too cowardly to back my words with actions’. WE HAVE THE POWER, YET WE’RE CONSTANTLY TOLD NOT TO USE IT. These tyrants are depriving people of their rights under color of law. That’s a felony, and being a lawmaker/governor/judge… Read more »
Yep. I wonder how many of the folks on here don’t mind the tyranny of the IRS because they know if they buck them they might end up in a cage or have their homes stolen? I’d suspect if you go along with THEM, you are going to go along with the gun laws because if you’re afraid to loose your home, you’ll be definitely afraid to lose your life.
OH, and BTW…I’m a runaway slave. Have been for 35 years. Wondering when I’m going to have to EXERCISE the reason for the 2nd amendment.
You – and the rest of us – VERY SOON. We’ll be busy soon enough!
I’ve already got about all I can take waiting on them to make 1st move or Republicans to get off their ars get it took care of. Lock up all and I mean all Demorats for stealing money from the people that put them there. Most of all being a hindrances to President Trump getting things done for we the people that put them in office. OK enough said, I’ll get off my soap box now.
Harold’s been involved with the Natural Rights Assimilators for too long!
Thanks for this very timely and important news. I am contacting my Congressman today about it. Good Article.
“Second Amendment supporters should take the time to contact their Representative and Senators and politely urge them to oppose this legislation.”
There you go again Harold advising some limp wristed response (please mother may I) to congress critters when what they really need is to have their precious world rocked.
@AH,I picked up on that too! I’ve given up on Harold!
@USA,now Harold the pissant wants us to be polite to an enemy that are out to destroy us and the constitution? Something is very wrong with the way that squirrel is wired!
Seems like we need to start reminding everyone to sign the petition, and get rid of this Tory bootlicker. http://chng.it/Sj8VzLz
Reading another Harold article reminded me that my paycheck had cleared this week and I needed to join the only no compromise gun lobby in Washington. So GOA can at least thank Harold the NRA bootlicker for getting another member today.
Sure, contact them with your rage. That will set the proper stage. Being polite is always the way to start. Then yell.
We’ve been being polite for years and look where we are. You know, the old nibble nibble cake analogy. Civility needs to be put on the shelf for awhile.