‘Historic’ action by justice department closes ‘doggone dangerous’ loophole in Biden administration’s fight against gun violence

The sale of firearms on the internet and at gun shows in the US will in future be subject to mandatory background checks, the justice department said on Thursday as it announced a “historic” new action to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals.

The closing of the so-called gun show loophole, which exempts private transactions from restrictions that apply to licensed dealers, has long been a goal of the Biden administration, and is specifically targeted in the rule published in the federal register today.

The White House estimates that 22% of guns owned by Americans were acquired without a background check and that about 23,000 more individuals will be required to be licensed as a dealer after the rule’s implementation.

  • @[email protected]
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    fedilink
    53 months ago

    I would expect too that the inability to effectively enforce those expectations was a motivating factor. The last time I bought a gun off some one I don’t know we went to a FFL to comply with state background law. Really only because neither of us knew for sure if the other was a cop. If you know the other person. It can be very hard to prove a transfer ever happen.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      13 months ago

      That’s an example of a state raising the floor for a personal sale. A good reason (depending on the state) for a current CCW/CHL permit too, as that paired with ID can in some states be sufficient verification without needing to go to an FFL for NICS.