JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, there’s been a renewed focus on tightening instant background checks for gun sales.
There are two bills currently navigating through Congress – the “Fix NICS” and “NICS Denial Notification Act.” Fix NICS is actually co-sponsored by both Missouri Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill.
On the topic of gun control, common ground can be hard to find, but fixing the National Instant Background Check System may be a unique opportunity to do so.
“That is something both sides can agree on,” said Cody Blissett, the manager of Top Gun Shooting in Arnold. “We’re glad we have a background check system but it does have flaws.”
There’s currently bipartisan support in Congress to pass the “Fix NICS” bill that would require state and federal agencies to report any crime that might disqualify someone from owning a gun.
The legislation levies stiff penalties for any agency who doesn’t comply. Right now, only 13 states – one of them being Illinois – have a specific system in place to notify NICS of disqualifying crimes.
“As far as who reports to that agency appears to be a slightly flawed system,” said Blissett.
Blissett said, there’s another problem with background checks following up on those who lie on their application.
“Yea you don’t see it too often but it does occur,” he said.
By law, it’s illegal to lie on a federal background check. Yet, when you ask him how many agencies have followed up on fraudulent forms, he said it’s never happened.
“No not at all,” said Blissett.
The “NICS Denial Notification Act,” introduced this week, would require federal authorities to notify state police if a person lied in an attempt to buy a firearm. Blissett said, he has no idea how many failed background checks he’s conducted, have to do with lying on a federal form.
“We’re not provided any of that information why denial, we’re just given proceed, delay and deny. Those are the only things we can actually receive,” he said.
He believes, strengthening the existing system could be a step in the right direction.
“Could it help? Absolutely. Is it going to fix all problems? Of course not,” said Blissett.
The gun store manager also believes there needs to be an effort to educate people on what may disqualify someone from owning a firearm. He said, he’s met several customers who tried to buy a gun not knowing they were barred from doing so.
Meanwhile, though both bills have received bipartisan support, they may not reach the President’s desk.
Currently, Democrats are hoping to add an expansion of background checks and a ban on assault-style weapons. Republicans say they’ll only pass a bill that closes gaps in the existing background check system.
