Alternate Background Check Proposal Put Forward by Sen. Coburn
Still involves government permission and bureaucracy
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) released the following statement today regarding his amendment #727 to replace the Manchin-Toomey amendment.
"Under my approach gun owners are treated as part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Instead of harassing gun owners with new taxes and other burdens, my bill gives law-abiding citizens the tools they need to make sure they aren't going to transfer a firearm to someone who will be a threat to themselves or others. For example, under my plan the process of confirming a buyer is not on the NICS list of prohibited buyers – the 'do not buy list' – will be as simple as using a smart phone app or printing a boarding pass from your home computer." …
Key provisions and principles of the Coburn amendment:
- Instead of rerouting all commerce through federally designated person that will charge a $30-$50 fee that creates a new de facto tax on guns, the Coburn amendment would allow the consumer portal and concealed carry permits to be used for verification, protecting law abiding gun owners' freedom to easily and safely transfer firearms.
- Respects the 10th amendment by giving states the ability to take primacy of enforcement, implement flexible solutions, and create certain exemptions.
- Reaffirms the federal policy that there will not be a federal firearms registry, and places strict penalties for violation of this policy.
- Improves reporting of mental health records by states to the NICS system.
- Provides proper due process for veterans to prevent them from being unfairly deprived of their Second Amendment Rights.
- Includes a five-year sunset provision that will force Congress to evaluate the effectiveness of the consumer portal.