Universal Background Check System (NICS)

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Universal background checks would be an ineffective means of keeping firearms out of the hands of prohibited individuals and infringe the rights of unlicensed dealers to own and sell guns. There are ways for individuals who are prohibited or simply do not want to go through a background check to obtain a firearm that is illegal and will happen even if universal background checks are put into place. Various existing laws prohibit individuals from obtaining firearms, the answer is not universal background checks, but expanding the background checks that are already in place. Universal background checks are the idea that for every firearm purchased, a background check is implemented. This means all firearms transactions will be recorded and go through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). “The NICS is a national system that checks available records on persons who may be disqualified from receiving firearms (“About NICS”). Medical Records are viewed by NICS from each state, but the government does not require states to give mental health records to …show more content…
According to the New Oxford Dictionary, a straw purchase is “a criminal act in which a person who is prohibited from buying firearms uses another person to buy a gun on their behalf.” The definition of the black market is “and illegal traffic or trade in officially controlled or scarce commodities” (New Oxford Dictionary). Also, corrupt FFLs who have access to large amounts of firearms can illegally “divert” them. The corrupt FFLs had the highest mean number of illegally moved firearms, but were involve in under10% of ATF investigations (“Enforcing Federal Law”). If someone has the intent to obtain a gun and use it in an unlawful manner, they would definitely consider avoiding the process of a background check in these