A new bill introduced at the Capitol is aimed at existing Minnesota gun laws. Lawmakers want to close a loophole that allows anyone to buy guns at private sales without a background check.
The bill will be the first time that gun safety advocates have pushed for a new law that would make most gun sales similar to those that take place in licensed shops.
Minneapolis Councilman Don Samuels calls the gun issue a daily hazard.
"I hear automatic gunfire at night from my bedroom," said Samuels.
Some other lawmakers hope to reduce the threat everywhere. The plan is to make it tougher to purchase some guns at private sales.
"This is a very dangerous weapon. No ID, no background check or anything that went along with the purchase of a gun," Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsey said as he displayed a gun that was purchased through the loophole.
At gun stores, buyers will face a federal background check. At a gun show or garage sale, nothing is required.
The proposed bill targets handguns and assault weapons. Anyone buying one would need a permit and it would require all gun show transactions to be processed by a licensed gun dealer. Anyone purchasing a firearm would have to undergo a federal and local background check.
"Is it going to catch everything? Everyone? No. But it's a step in the right direction," said Edina Police Chief Michael Siitari.
Lawmakers hope to pass the bill by limiting its scope—for example, it won’t impact the sale of shotguns.
Police admit that it will be tough to enforce the proposed law when it comes to Internet sales or private transactions between two neighbors, but it will still help.
The bill has to pass through committees before the legislature votes on it.
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S354039.shtml?cat=1
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