Yes, we need background checks

You know during this debate on gun control there has been a lot said about background checks, and some of the comments have been head-scratchers, especially those against the idea.

I mean to say really? It defies logic. Let’s look at it with a little common sense tossed in to mix it better.

There are a lot of jobs out there that require background checks. Some are extensive, like when I enlisted in the U.S. Army. My background was gone over by the FBI, standard practice back then and now for anyone trying to join the armed forces.

Apply for a position in our schools. Even as a janitor, you require background checks to keep pedophiles and other predators away from contact of our children in those schools. The same applies for those working with our senior citizens.

Our police forces require such checks as well, and I’m pretty sure our fire departments require them too. The reasons are pretty plain to see why. So why all the hubbub about requiring criminal background checks on buyers of firearms?

I mean, if you are the seller of firearms at a gun shop, wouldn’t you want to know if Joe Snuffy who is standing there at the counter really did have a squeaky clean record? Or is he really Joe Snuffout, a convicted felon from Texas trying to pull the wool over your eyes?

I sure as heck would want to know, and I’m pretty sure you would too.

Then there is the claim from the NRA that background checks would lead to national registration and listing of legal firearms owners. I don’t believe this for one second. It defies logic. But it does make for more than a few questions on the entire issue, questions that bear looking into.

So I decided to go down to a local firearms dealer I purchased a weapon from some years ago. Before I go on, I must say I am not a reporter. I’m not a journalist. And after this, I believe no one’s job in either is going to be threatened by the likes of me. I am just a writer.

I won’t say his name or his store’s for reasons of privacy and respect. I told the owner I was looking for some answers to some questions and that I purchased a weapon from him a few years ago. I asked him about the process for someone to buy a firearm here in Alaska.

It was really quite simple. Picture ID, in my case an Alaska driver’s license, and a form to fill out, ATF form-4473. He then takes this information and calls it in to the FBI. If all is good, then one can complete the purchase of a firearm. I asked him if the same holds true at gun shows. I added something like this occurred when I purchased a rifle from one in the Valley some time ago. He said yes. I asked if the call to the FBI was on a local state level. He said no, it was on a federal level. Well, that took away a good many of my arguments from articles past.

Or did it?

Where did the FBI get its information? Were all 50 states truly sharing all information about their criminals and listing them properly? Are they operating on the same page, so to speak, held to a common standard? It seems to work up here, but what about the rest of the country? These questions came up after I had talked to this man a day later.

But that still didn’t answer my questions about the resistance to background checks by gun rights groups, including the NRA. I mean, my background was checked both times back then and I am the owner of these weapons. So what gives?

I pressed on with another. Did this process apply to other states? He said each state has different rules and laws a dealer must obey. That answer said a lot. Different rules and laws for each state makes it a confusing mess. Alaska is one of the easiest states to obtain a firearm. I agreed with him on this and pointed out that in Washington state, where I used to live, it was a bit different. He concurred.

I then asked if there’s a connection to background checks and this thing about registration? That was when it got a little weird. There were claims that the IRS, liberals and the current presidential administration were linked together somehow in order to bring about this connection into reality. I was a little taken aback, to be honest. When words like “communist,” “Marxist” and others began to come out. I began to tune out. I have known for some time that some of these gun rights groups are more than a little hostile toward the president. He did point out that all of this was online. I replied that I knew about that and I wanted to speak to a real person about all of it. He was very open and honestly frank in his answers. So I thanked him politely and went on my way.

I was admittedly skeptical to his last answers. But one thing did ring true — the federal government. There is a major distrust in the feds and a fear they might take over all firearms issues. A great many people don’t want that to happen and fear it already is doing so now. It does raise more questions, a lot more.

I’m not sure about some of the answers to my questions helped me out at all. I’m not sure about the direction some this has gone. I am willing to keep on asking questions, and I am willing to listen. I want to see results of the gun control debates — good results, practical ones. Something must be done to stem the tide of the violence. Good, reasonable laws must be enacted. Background checking just one factor involved in these discussions and debates

I’m still scratching my head about the resistance put up by groups like the NRA. I suspect something is going on, but I just can’t draw a bead on it. At least not yet. It is a dance that I don’t know the steps to. I do know it involves money, politics and power, and a lot of all three.

I feel background checks are a valuable tool to enhance Second Amendment rights. In order to make sure the right people — honest, hardworking Americans and not the criminal, ex-con or the insane — get their hands on a firearm. It won’t stop all from doing so, but it doesn’t hurt to try. To do nothing as the NRA proposes is not an answer.

Perhaps we need to clean up the mess and enact a national standard of laws, rules and regulations that all 50 states must adhere to. Then again, maybe this is what the NRA and others have been dreading. Was the no vote in congress in April an effort to stem just such an attempt?

I guess a lot more questions must be asked and I am not afraid to admit that. Answers must be sought out. My stance for common sense gun control has not changed. I believe workable solutions can be found and put into practice. It is not a question of being a liberal or conservative. It is a very American question involving all who live here.

I got my work cut out for me, don’t I?

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.