Feb 15, 2009 7:47 pm US/Central
Legislators Push Stiffening Laws To Sell Handguns
(WCCO)
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The proposed law would require all buyers of pistols or assault weapons to have a permit-to-purchase or pass a locally-conducted background check. (File)
CBS
Is it too easy to get certain types of guns in Minnesota? Some state lawmakers think so and will be introducing a new bill this week.
The proposed law would require all buyers of pistols or assault weapons to have a permit-to-purchase or pass a locally-conducted background check.
Currently, if you want to buy a pistol or assault weapon in Minnesota from a licensed dealer, you need a permit and background check. However, that's not the case if you buy from a private seller at places like gun shows, garage sales or on the Internet.
"It's a fairly gaping loophole that we have in our current law," said State Representative Michael Paymar. "It's a fairly simple process so we're trying to weed out dangerous people who should not be possessing those kinds of weapons."
Paymar and others want to plug that loophole by requiring everyone, including private parties, to sell these types of weapons through a licensed firearms dealer.
Jim Wright owns Crocodile Productions, which organizes 20 gun shows a year around the metro. He said the great majority of sellers at the shows are federally licensed dealers, who already require permits.
He said in the shows he's involved with occasionally there's someone liquidating a personal collection. Wright said he doesn't see the point of more regulation.
"All of the criminals have the best guns on the market. And they're not buying them legally, anywhere," said Wright.
However, gun control advocates say it makes sense to expand the existing law to keep guns away from people with mental health problems and with convictions for felonies and domestic violence.
"If we can keep some of those dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people we'll be successful," added Paymar.
Dealers, who didn't want to talk on camera, said there is a concern that the government is going too far.
"The only thing as far as prohibiting somebody from selling their own personal gun, it's just infringing on their rights," said Wright.
There is a provision in the bill to allow a gun owner to sell to a relative without requiring a permit. The legislation is being introduced later this week in the Minnesota House and will get a hearing in two weeks.
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