After a Sting by New York, Gun Shows Move to Tighten Checks

[SecularMotion]

ALBANY — The overwhelming majority of New York state gun show operators have agreed to new rules to ensure that criminal and mental health background checks are conducted on buyers.

The agreement was reached after undercover agents from the state attorney general’s office were able to purchase weapons, including three AR-15 rifles, without any screening at half a dozen gun shows around the state.

The operators, with shows from White Plains to Cheektowaga, have also agreed to a broader system to track firearms at their shows and to guard against illegal sales in parking lots.

The agreement was negotiated by the New York attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, who had brought criminal charges against the sellers identified in the sting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/nyregion/most-ny-gun-shows-to-take-steps-on-background-checks.html?hp&_r=0

[spin]

1. As a gun owner and gun rights supporter I see no problem with better enforcing existing laws. ...

Perhaps that is exactly what we should do right now as we work to improve our laws. The new AWB looks DOA, but there are plenty of reasonable and effective laws that have a chance of being passed that would do far more good.

We should also strictly enforce laws against the illegal carry of firearms and severely punish those who violate them.

2 Charged In Hadiya Pendleton’s Murder
February 11, 2013 12:54 PM

CHICAGO (CBS) — Two Chicago men have been charged with the murder of Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old high school honor student who was gunned down at a Kenwood neighborhood park late last month, only days after marching at President Obama’s inauguration.

Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, each were charged Monday with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy announced at a Monday evening news conference.

***snip***

McCarthy said it was gang surveillance and detective work that brought about a break in the case, not the $40,000 reward that had been offered to potential tipsters.

He said the nationally scrutinized murder bolsters the case for “mandatory minimum” sentences for gun offenders. Ward pleaded guilty to a weapons offense in January 2012 and received two years’ probation, McCarthy said....emphasis added
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/11/charges-could-be-filed-in-hadiya-pendletons-murder-today/

It's a fair question to ask why Ward only got probation for illegally carrying a firearm. If he would have been imprisoned perhaps Hadiya Pendleton would still be alive.

[Straw Man]

2. NY already requires background checks ...

... for private sales at gun shows. It appears that what Schneiderman is doing now is asking show operators to help with enforcement. It's not really their job, but to their credit they are cooperating.

So what's the quid pro quo? Spirit of compromise, right?