Background Checks

[shaggydog]

Step 1. Bundle the required background checks and red/green borders with Real ID.

I'll have Step 2 ready by the time all 50 states implement Step 1.

Or... Texas could implement the background checks (something like NICS, for example) and red/green borders. It could phase in with renewals and address changes. Green border would show a background check within the past 5 years and meet the Federal standards. Green border would also allow open or concealed carry in Texas, but might not be accepted for reciprocity so we could keep the expensive CHL for frequent out of state travelers.

Now, it's your turn.

You have not answered my question. You simply elaborated your plan/solution. I will restate and clarify the question:
Have you started an implementation process? If so, what have you done thus far? If not, why not?

[pt145ss]

Like I said two weeks ago.

I don't know if it helps you. But I think it helps society as a whole by raising the "cost" to criminals for illegally carrying and making it easier for LE to identify those who are.

At the same time, it doesn't bother me a bit. The inconvenience and cost involved are miniscule.

That's good enough for me.

An easier solution is to have a green border on someone's DL or ID if they have a clean background. That means they can buy and carry guns with no additional hassle in all 50 states and DC. People with a criminal record get a red border on their DL or ID and they're not allowed to carry or vote. The inconvenience and cost to the law abiding would be even less than your solution and the benefits to society are much greater. Everybody wins... except the bad guys.

That's good enough for me.

Why should the good guys who choose not to carry have to endure unwanted expenses and unwanted intrusions of a background check? Why should they have to bear a cross that has nothing to do with them. Wait a second.....sorry....i had to look around to make sure i was still in america. We as CHL holders choose to carry and as a part of that we also choose the cost and intrusion that comes with that. Again...if you were able to convince me that giving everyone a background check was a good idea (which you have not done yet...not even close) how do you propose to keep the feds, state, and local govenments from using that information for the purposes of taking even more away?

[boomerang]

Why should the good guys who choose to exercise a basic human right like RKBA have to endure unwanted expenses and unwanted intrusions of a background check?

Why should concealed handgun licensees have to bear a cross that has nothing to do with them? For the CHLs who are Jewish or Buddhist that might violate their First Amendment rights.

[pt145ss]

Why should the good guys who choose to exercise a basic human right like RKBA have to endure unwanted expenses and unwanted intrusions of a background check?

That is because for CHL the expense and background check are deemed reasonable (at least by current legislation)...performing a background on someone for no other reason than because you can is not reasonable.

Why should concealed handgun licensees have to bear a cross that has nothing to do with them? For the CHLs who are Jewish or Buddhist that might violate their First Amendment rights.

I guess when you have nothing to say that adds value to the conversation...turn it into a joke!

[boomerang]

I think there's a big benefit to preventing illegal aliens and other criminals from voting.

Illegal Aliens and felons can not vote now...why do we need to do a background checks for this purpose when those rights have already been taken away?

That's like saying "Illegal Aliens and felons can not carry guns now. Why do we need to do background checks for this purpose when those rights have already been taken away?"

[KBCraig]

Step 1. Bundle the required background checks and red/green borders with Real ID.

I'll have Step 2 ready by the time all 50 states implement Step 1.

Thankfully you have an infinite amount of time to plan, because Step 1 (and Real ID) are never going to happen.

[aardwolf]

Real ID without background checks was pointless anyway.

[red2000vette]

Good discussion topic. But reason does not seem to enter into the situation at times. Just after 9/11 I was consulting with the state regarding student safety and the likelihood of a terrorist attack on Texas schools. One of my recommendations was that if a school was to be used as a polling place when it was in session that a uniformed police officer would be on premises who would check ID at the door before someone would be admitted to the school to vote. ID would be a state issued ID card, DL, voter registration card - something; anything! Just as a simple deterrant.

You should have seen the broohaha that this suggestion caused.

The response was that a cop at the door could possibly disuade a votor (maybe one who was wanted for something) from entering the poll to exercise his/her right to vote. No, lets not let reasonable security precautions get in the way. Now the US Supreme Court has decided that checking ID at the door (to reduce the likelihood of voter fraud) is just dandy. But do it in Texas to protect the kids - Noooooooooooooooooooo.

[tarkus]

Good discussion topic. But reason does not seem to enter into the situation at times. Just after 9/11 I was consulting with the state regarding student safety and the likelihood of a terrorist attack on Texas schools. One of my recommendations was that if a school was to be used as a polling place when it was in session that a uniformed police officer would be on premises who would check ID at the door before someone would be admitted to the school to vote. ID would be a state issued ID card, DL, voter registration card - something; anything! Just as a simple deterrant.

You should have seen the broohaha that this suggestion caused.

Certain politicians know they were elected because of the illegal alien vote. If valid ID was required to vote, they might not get elected again and would have to get a job.

Don't get me started on the background checks that should be run when people register to vote.

[KBCraig]

Good discussion topic. But reason does not seem to enter into the situation at times. Just after 9/11 I was consulting with the state regarding student safety and the likelihood of a terrorist attack on Texas schools. One of my recommendations was that if a school was to be used as a polling place when it was in session that a uniformed police officer would be on premises who would check ID at the door before someone would be admitted to the school to vote. ID would be a state issued ID card, DL, voter registration card - something; anything! Just as a simple deterrant.

You should have seen the broohaha that this suggestion caused.

The response was that a cop at the door could possibly disuade a votor (maybe one who was wanted for something) from entering the poll to exercise his/her right to vote. No, lets not let reasonable security precautions get in the way. Now the US Supreme Court has decided that checking ID at the door (to reduce the likelihood of voter fraud) is just dandy. But do it in Texas to protect the kids - Noooooooooooooooooooo.

History --not "history book" history, but history within our lifetimes-- shows this to be a valid concern. Armed deputies have denied voters, or intimidated them into not voting, within the last 40 years.

The qualifications for voting are an interesting discussion topic. Personally, I hark back to our Founding Fathers and the basis of the American Revolution: if you can't vote, you don't have to pay taxes.