Law enforcement officials back closing the 'gun-show loophole'

[Glaug-Eldare]

21. Maybe where you are it's $35, but not here

FFLs around here charge $75 and UP for simple transfers. Fortunately, we have the option of doing handgun/regulated firearms transfers through the state police for $10, but there's no telling where that option is or isn't available. Simply requiring everybody to go through an FFL means artificially driving up demand for the transfer service, which will drastically increase the rates and make safe, legal private sales impractical.

Wouldn't it be better for everybody to simply make NICS more accessible and require its use? That way, the ability to buy and sell is not contingent on the FFL transfer rates, and background checks are available for all firearms transactions. Private sellers will have the knowledge they need to comply with the law, and nothing to hide behind if they're caught violating it. Private purchasers would be screened the same way retail purchasers are, without having to pay a third party's outrageous fees. Police and prosecutors will be able to prosecute illegal sellers with greater certainty. FFLs still make money off of interstate transfers and sales. Who loses?