Gun Safety Initiatives
It is distressing that American youth are more at risk from firearms than the kids in any other industrialized nation. But the issue is safety, not gun control. The NEA supports sensible legislation that respects the rights of lawful gun owners, while preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands.
Here are some national and state gun safety initiatives that NEA will support:
- Closing gun show loopholes: In 32 states, criminals are able to purchase guns at gun shows from unlicensed sellers with no background check, no questions, and no ID. The NRA estimates that several hundred thousand guns are purchased at gun shows each year, and law enforcement has discovered that terrorists have purchased firearms at gun shows in the U.S. All sellers at gun shows should check law enforcement databases to make sure that their buyers are not legally prohibited from purchasing firearms.
- Improving background checks: Thousands of criminals illegally purchase guns because states keep poor criminal history records. These records need to be updated and automated.
- Combating illegal gun trafficking: Law enforcement needs better investigative tools to crack down on illegal gun traffickers and to reduce gun crime, such as gun tracing techniques.
Logo Illustration ©2002, Mary Garner-Mitchell
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