The American people depend of government agencies for guidance and assistance, when needed. But what happens when one of those agencies abuses it power? What happens when an agency makes thousands, if not millions of law-abiding citizens into overnight criminals, without the authority?
Florida Senator, Matt Gaetz, feels that the ATF has overstepped its boundaries and abused its powers one too many times. In January of this year, the Senator put forward “Abolish the ATF Act”. Citing several abuse of power issues, including but not limited to the controversial “Bump-fire stock ban” that ATF created but never had the power or authority to put forward as a law. The “Bump-fire stock” ban put people out of business and caused law abiding citizens to become criminals by possessing something that ATF itself approved in the year’s preceding the law.
ATF, just weeks after being reprimanded for their unenforceable “Law” is at it again, but this time with the accessory known as a “pistol brace”. The device was created to allow people to better handle and control AR style pistols. Designed with handicapped sportsmen (and women) in mind, the device did nothing more than offer another form of safely controlling the weapon it was attached to. At no time does the accessory make a firearm shoot faster, further or more rounds than it does without the accessory. So why try to ban it?
In North Carolina a Bill has been proposed (not the first time) to do away with the County Sheriff determining if someone is of good moral character to purchase a pistol. The law, which was created back in 1919, gave the Sheriff the ability to deny a person the right to purchase a firearm if they felt the applicant, “lacked good moral character.” They also took into consideration conduct and criminal behavior within the previous five-year period of the application.
After Covid, several NC Sheriff departments supported removing the permit from the process as it took up too many resources, including deputies, to process all the applications. Neighboring states like Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina do not require handgun purchase permits. In those states a buyer fills out the federal 4473 form and a background check is done at the time of purchase.
What would be eliminated for the North Carolina law abiding citizen who wanted to purchase a handgun if this law passed? No more application, payment and length of time it takes to receive the permit from the Sheriff’s department in the county they live in. The background check would be done in person by an FFL when making a purchase.
Facts about the above items:
Fact: If North Carolina did away with the purchase permit requirement a background check will still be done at time of purchase for a handgun or long gun unless the buyer has a current NC Conceal and Carry permit (which is also a background check).
Fact: There is no such thing as “internet sales” of firearms where firearms are legally shipped to a private home. Federal Law requires ALL firearms to be received by a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer. The only exception to this law is when a repaired firearm is being returned from a manufacturer. Anyone can ship a firearm but it must be received by an FFL.
Fact: The age to purchase a pistol in North Carolina from a FFL is 21 years of age. The age to purchase a long gun (rifle or shotgun) from an FFL is 18 years of age.
Fact: A person can privately sell their firearm, but the burden falls on the seller to be able to prove the buyer was legally allowed to possess a firearm. That proof can be obtained through a permit, NC Conceal Carry or taking it to an FFL to have a background check done on the buyer.
Fact: A “gun show loop hole” does not exist in North Carolina. A person, not in the business of selling firearms, can sell a private firearm if they abide by the above rule. All FFLs selling firearms at gun shows must abide by all laws.
Fact: A pistol brace does not turn a handgun into a Class 3 SBR (short barreled rifle)
Fact: A pistol brace accessory does not have a serial number. Fact: A bump fire stock accessory does not have a serial number.
Fact: Requiring a firearm to be registered due to an accessory attached will be almost impossible to enforce and difficult to oversee. Most accessories are designed to be removed or replaced.
Fact: An AR-15 pistol and an AR-15 rifle may shoot the same bullets, the same distance, the same speed and approximately the same accuracy. An AR-15 pistol currently requires a permit or CCW to purchase and the buyer must be 21 years of age or older.
Fact: A pistol brace or a bump fire stock not attached to a firearm is just a piece of plastic.
Remember that knowledge is power, knowing and understanding the truth makes a big difference when new laws are being created and keeping government agencies in check is very important for our safety and freedoms.