Gun Reform

The Conservative Case for Reasonable Gun Legislation

Much has changed since the founding of our Republic.  And yet our constitution, interpreted over time, serves us well.  The right to bear arms was always weighed against another right our founders revered: peace for the community as a whole.  Even though population was far less dense, citizens seem to have been sensitive to the rights of others when bearing arms.  Thomas Jefferson’s guns were readily available when hunting or moving across his vast estate, but he firmly secured those weapons when traveling public roads. What will be most effective in protecting the greatest number of our citizens?

Ronald Reagan

In 1991, Ronald Reagan said at a ceremony at George Washington University:

“I want to tell all of you here today something that I’m not sure you know…I’m a member of the NRA. My position on right to bear arms is well known. But I want you to know something else. And I’m going to say it in clear unmistakable language. I support the Brady bill and I urge the Congress to enact it.”

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was passed in 1993. This law created a system for background checks of licensed gun buyers, which was maintained by the FBI. In 2020, we have the ability to maintain such a system.

Congress talks but fails to act.  Necessary gun reform therefore reverts to the states for action.   

Nebraska

The federal government maintains the exclusive capability to conduct background checks for the purchase of a gun but the states determine which guns require a search of the government’s background data base.  In Nebraska the purchase of any gun requires a background check by the retailer while the purchase of a handgun necessitates the additional requirement to obtain a purchase permit from a county sheriff who initiates the background check.  The five dollar permit from the sheriff is valid good for three years and then must be renewed.  The cost of the permit is currently five dollars. 

While the gun statutes in Nebraska are somewhat more responsible than many states, we could include the purchase of assault weapons to the sheriff purchase permit procedures.  Secondly, a follow up procedure could require those possessing a permit to renew whether or not a gun is purchased.  The periodic review would hopefully include those persons who might have lost eligibility during the intervening period of time.  The statutes could also be strengthened with more explicit time limit language for issuance of the permits.  Current language would be changed to a minimum of two days with a maximum of five days which might deter the impulsive desire of those contemplating suicide. 

This legislation balances Second Amendment privileges to bear arms while reinforcing requirements to keep firearms away from those who would endanger themselves or others.