(Photo: NRA-ILA)
Universal Background checks will not be coming to Arizona thanks to Gov. Doug Ducey (R).
Gov. Ducey signed a bill this week to block towns, cities and the state government from enacting measures that criminalize the private transfer of firearms between law-abiding citizens.
Senate Bill 1122 states, “Notwithstanding any other law, this state and a city, town or county shall not require as a condition of a private sale, gift, donation or other transfer of personal property that the owner of the personal property search or facilitate the search of any federal or state databases and shall not require that a third party be involved.”
Universal background check laws typically mandate that before a private seller transfers a firearm to a private buyer the seller must take the firearm to a local gun shop (or FFL) so that the gun shop can run an NICS background check on the purchaser. Typically, there is a fee charged by the FFL to run the background check.
The city of Tucson currently requires background checks for gun sales between private buyers and sellers. With the passage of SB 1122, the city will no longer be permitted to enforce that law.
Rep. Anthony Kern was one of the House members who supported the bill.
“If I want to sell … any of my personal property, including weapons, I should be able to do that,” Kern said during a debate on the House floor. “It is up to me as a responsible seller to make sure I know who the buyer is. It’s called America and it’s called the Second Amendment.”
Another lawmaker worried that the bill might spark a lawsuit from the city of Tucson.
“I’m afraid that with this piece of legislation we will yet find ourselves in another position where we have another lawsuit costing the state hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars and will lead us really nowhere,” Rep. Friese told AZCenteral.com.
My beef with universal background checks has always been twofold: the fee or tax charged to transfer the firearm and the notion that background checks stop criminals from purchasing firearms.
Guns and ammo are expensive enough. If I want to buy a firearm from my neighbor Bob, I shouldn’t get whacked an additional $25 to $50 for a background check. I have a CCW permit, which required a background check, and I already own several guns. Why do I need to undergo another NICS check? Like that lawmaker said, a scrupulous seller wouldn’t knowingly sell to a shady character (In fact, federal law prohibits a private seller from selling a firearm to an individual who that seller knows is a felon).
I also don’t believe that background checks stop criminals from purchasing guns. Sure, they may stop some bad guys who already have criminal records from purchasing guns at gun stores, but they don’t stop criminals from purchasing guns. As several studies have shown, most criminals buy their gun on the black market, borrow them from friends, steal them or use straw purchasers to obtain them. With all those options, background check or no background check, we’re fooling ourselves if we think we can stop bad guys from getting guns.
Kudos to Arizona for erring on the side of freedom on this issue. Too many states have bought into the anti-gun rhetoric that background checks are the panacea to stopping gun violence. They’re not. They’re a feel-good political talking point with no real teeth.
As an Norther AZ resident, I could not be happier. Unfortunately the good comes with the bad The (R) state electors are not middle class proponents.
Good. Now if Governor Ducey will realize that red flag laws are unconstitutional and dangerous AZ would be kept in good shape. I love living in this state and don’t want to see it screwed up by unconstitutional laws that strip law abiding citizens of their rights.
Good article and information. One minor criticism to the author – in the last paragraph , S.H. Blannelberry states “Kudos to Arizona for erring on the side of freedom on this issue.” On the contrary, Arizona did the right thing in protecting second amendment rights.
Suprising our mr. Steve Doocy had the foresight to do such. Considering he and Donald Trump both said they were going to Outlaw bump stocks entirely without amending the Constitution the Supreme Court the president the House and Senate on their own or all together cannot change the Constitution or Outlaw a damn thing.
If they convene a constitutional convention then they can change the Constitution but we the people can require an a vote amongst the states and we can nullify anything they wish to do.
The Supreme Court is corrupt Kagan wrote Obumer care she doesn\’t get to vote on it the FBI is corrupt the CIA is corrupt our government is so corrupt they have no intention of following any law
Much less Constitution or Bill of Rights unfortunately most in this country are the spineless lot you\’re afraid to be called out by their neighbor much less pull the trigger and blow their neighbors ass away like this little fagott hogg it\’s amazing how many people will tell you all about their rights but be completely and totally irresponsible in the rest of their way they lead their lives.
Tell me about all the responsibilities that you have fulfilled as an American before you tell me about your rights.
Last time I checked the government was handing out rights to non-citizens and telling the citizens we best fall In line.
I never was a Donald fan he can still kiss my ass the rest of you guys out there when you\’re ready to actually look at this for what it is TYRANNY against citizens by the government let me know hopefully we still have a country to fight for these bastards in our government\’s time that they all go to Jail then hell…
Suprising our mr. Steve Doocy had the foresight to do such. Considering he and Donald Trump both said they were going to Outlaw bump stocks entirely without amending the Constitution the Supreme Court the president the House and Senate on their own or all together cannot change the Constitution or Outlaw a damn thing.
If they convene a constitutional convention then they can change the Constitution but we the people can require an a vote amongst the states and we can nullify anything they wish to do.
The Supreme Court is corrupt Kagan wrote Obumer care she doesn’t get to vote on it the FBI is corrupt the CIA is corrupt our government is so corrupt they have no intention of following any law
Much less Constitution or Bill of Rights unfortunately most in this country are the spineless lot you’re afraid to be called out by their neighbor much less pull the trigger and blow their neighbors ass away like this little fagott hogg it’s amazing how many people will tell you all about their rights but be completely and totally irresponsible in the rest of their way they lead their lives.
Tell me about all the responsibilities that you have fulfilled as an American before you tell me about your rights.
Last time I checked the government was handing out rights to non-citizens and telling the citizens we best fall In line.
I never was a Donald fan he can still kiss my ass the rest of you guys out there when you’re ready to actually look at this for what it is TYRANNY against citizens by the government let me know hopefully we still have a country to fight for these bastards in our government’s time that they all go to Jail then hell…
I wish Indiana would pass a law like this.
Kudos for Arizona!! I’m elderly, retired and crippled to an extent from arthritis. I’ve had to sell my .45 semi-auto (for self defense) for a lighter recoil 9 mm. I’d hate to have to spend money I need for bills, to run a check on individuals before sale. I’d never sell to anyone “shady” for fear they might be threat to me!! Also I have a conscience that’d grieve me to no end if anyone innocent was hurt due to sale to someone.
Good for you, Arizona!
I LOVE THIS STATE, ALL YOU FAGS STAY OR GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM BECAUSE YOUR CRAP IS NOT GOING TO WORK HERE. CALIFORINA SUCKS.
This is a good thing ? Better to know who you sell too.
I live on the outskirts of Tucson (outside city limits) and didn’t know the city required background checks for private transfers. Figures though.
When I first moved here in 1976 it was conservative town, almost entirely infused with cowboy culture. Then it appears it was invaded by a bunch of So. Cal transplants. Of late it’s become another bastion of leftist ideology, resulting in among other things ever higher taxes and financially broken government that can’t even afford to fix the roads, despite all the money it rakes in by monetarily raping its residents.
This county went for Hilary during the last election. I guess people here still don’t get it.
Well thank you Doug Ducey for doing the right thing and signing this bill. A pox on those politicians who fear doing the right thing because might initiate a lawsuit.
I’ll be retiring soon, and to another part of the state I will move as had been planned.
Arizona Land of the Free home of the Brave
So, “shall not be infringed” means that the right is not subject to regulation of any form? I guess the keyboard constitutional scholars would like to see guns available for sale in vending machines. Because of size constraints, it would probably only work with handguns. After all, criminals are going to get them anyway, and any upright citizen shouldn’t have to deal with the “gun-grabber’s” unconstitutional paperwork to get a gun, right? Just the price of living in a free country, right?
Yes, that is correct. And I will thank you to stay in whatever shitty state you currently reside. You are not welcome in Arizona. Thank you.
John, What if Dewey was born and raised in AZ?
that background checks are the panacea to stopping gun violence. They’re not. They’re a feel-good political talking point with no real teeth.
AMEN
Yay Arizona!
Up yours! Gun-grabbing, anti-Constituionalist, left-wing Federal government @sshats!
Well done!