How Useful Are Background Checks Ineffective?

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“Since February 28, 1994, when the federal background check requirement became effective, more than 4.5 million applications have been denied for a firearm transfer or permit through the FBI’s background check system. In 2020, there were more than 330,000 denials, of which more than half were based on a felony conviction” (“Background Check Procedures”). Even though background checks have had this impact on felons obtaining guns, the opposition claims that background checks are not effective since they can be avoided by purchasing from a private seller or obtaining weapons illegally (“Background Checks NCIS”). This debate has been controversial since both sides have many valid points and concerns. Despite this, one side is more correct than the other. …show more content…
But is this actually the truth, or is it just a claim? Despite the argument that background checks are ineffective, Michael Siegel and other contributors disagree; they believe that background checks have had an impact on criminals obtaining weapons and possibly injuring other people. States that have an increase in the number of background checks also have a decrease in firearm-related homicides. A journal article written by Michael Siegel and other Boston public officers states that states that used universal background checks for the purchase of firearms saw a 14.9 percent decrease in overall gun-related homicides. Background checks have had this impact on gun-related homicides because they look into the record of the person purchasing the gun. So if a person has a criminal record or has a mental issue of some sort, they will be deemed unworthy of purchasing and owning a firearm. Due to this, it becomes more difficult for someone who might want to harm others to own a