FFL Protection Act: Let’s Try Enforcing Our Current Gun Laws, Hmm?
Why, it’s so crazy, it just might work!
Over and over, American gun owners and our lobbying groups have insisted that we don’t need new gun laws, we just need to actively enforce our existing ones. Over and over, American gun sellers and their lobbying groups have insisted that they are doing their part by denying obvious straw sales and bolstering their own security; they just need official backup in the form of real criminal penalties. After all, if as an FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee, a.k.a., a gun seller) you’re reporting theft and denied sales only to see that there’s no legal followup for the would-be criminal. Interestingly, it seems some Congresscritters agree…and they’re coming in from both sides of the aisle.
It starts with U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb’s (D-Pa.) introduction of H.R. 3252, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act. The bipartisan bill would strengthen and enhance criminal penalties for thefts of firearms from federally licensed firearm retailers. It sends a strong message to those violent criminals engaging in these illicit activities and helps provide for safer communities, assists law enforcement and protects firearm retailers.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is the lobbying arm for America’s gun sellers, in much the same way the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association are for American gun owners. The NSSF and the gun sellers they represent have been working hard to “police themselves” for decades. NSSF has partnered with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Operation Secure Store, an effort to end the theft of guns from sellers. As part of Operation Secure Store, NSSF matches ATF reward offers for information regarding these crimes that leads to the arrest and conviction of the criminals responsible and recovery of the stolen firearms. The Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act will strengthen and enhance the actual criminal penalties that these criminals will face.
The NSSF hasn’t waited for Congress before now, and they’ll keep going with or without H.R. 3252. Right now, NSSF helps educate firearm retailers on steps they can take to reduce the chance guns will be stolen from them during a burglary or robbery, and in cooperation with ATF, conducts retailer store security seminars, assists retailers with store security audits of their premises, and endorses and promotes the use of security products like smash resistant display cases.
“The bill sends the clear message that Congress will not tolerate criminals who victimize firearm retailers in order to further prey upon and threaten communities,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The firearm industry is grateful to Congressman Lamb and the bipartisan cosponsors for reaching across the aisle to provide those firearm retailers who follow the law the protection they deserve. We are further grateful that this legislation properly assigns the blame where it is warranted and tells criminals that Congress and the firearm industry will hold those committing crime responsible for their reprehensible actions.”
The FFL Protection Act was co-sponsored by Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.).
Every time there is a crime spree or outrageous shooting, there is a hue and cry that, “Congress should do something about it”. They answer is simple. “Enforce the existing laws”. Mass shooting? There are already several laws against that. Slashings on subway platforms? There are several laws against that.
Why do they keep happening? The laws are never enforced. Congress enacts laws. Police enforce those laws at great personal peril, even losing their lives to keep us safe. The system falls apart when left-leaning activists insert themselves into the works to sabotage justice.
Liberal cities decide by themselves to eliminate bail requirements, removing the only incentive felons have to ensure their return for trial. The real loose cannons are the ones wearing the fancy robe and swinging a little wooden mallet. Our legal system allows judges to agree to back room deals, leniency, and outright ignoring sentencing guidelines at their whim. They “legislate from the bench” because we unenlightened people don’t know any better. Legislators, police, judges, military and even local office holders swear an oath to “UPHOLD and DEFEND the Constitution of the United States. Why are only SOME actually held to that oath and prosecuted when they fail?
The cycle continues…
Grand idea of enforcing existing laws Mr. Dembek. Please tell me how you will achieve this when law enforcement is to be defunded; or at least cut back to levels that will leave citizens in their homes with no one at the end of a 911 call.
I’ve checked Congressional Bills, HR 3252 isn’t correct for an FFL Protection Act. I believe the number to be incorrect.
Think it should cover all stolen firearms. Not just from dealers. During my recent move one of the packers stole my Browning Hi Power. I know who got it, but I can’t prove it. When local police recover a stolen pistol from someone, the case should be required to be turned over to the federal system for prosecution. If people were sentenced to the maximum penalty possible, gun crime would go down. Just think that would help Chicago.
when the government will not trust lawful, responsible gun owners.. in turn can said gun owners trust the government? just sayin jimbo
About time some protection for Gun people came out of Congress! Nice to know we still have a few friends… on BOTH sides…
Sentences should be increased for “straw man” purchases and felons with firearms. 20 years for a strawman and let’s see how many girlfriends will buy a gun for miscreants and for felons, 20 years for the first time and if they are really stupid and do it again, life. They are not just committing crimes, they are messing with our rights and the Constitution. Oh, and no plea bargaining or reduction of gun crimes to some kind of misdemeanor.
Why not extend this to individuals who are caught in violation of existing laws on illegal possession and/or use of firearms? I firmly believe the frequency of firearms violations would be reduced significantly if individuals clearly understood the penalties currently in force would be applied to them. The numbers of violators who are not penalized must be extremely demoralizing for law enforcement officers who consistently risk their safety in apprehending violators only to see them go free due to lack of prosecution or sentencing to minimal penalty.
Hmm, shouldn’t PLCAA cover this?
Seems patently obvious to me that strict enforcement of the currently existing ‘gun control’ laws on the books (some 20,000 at least) would also achieve the same goal. Nah, much too simple, just enact even more laws………………….
IIRC there was a movement in Richmond a few years back called Operation (Project?) First Strike or something similar. Joint operation between feds and local/county outfits LE and prosecutors – that mandated a minimum of TEN years prison for use of a gun in a crime. I haven’t heard anything about it lately, so perhaps it worked.
ATF and FBI know all there is to know about the existing federal gun laws and have no intention of enforcing them. It’s all about coddling vicious criminals while inventing new “reasons” for even stricter anti-gun laws for the ultimate prohibition and confiscation that is their true goal. Along with the communist dictatorship that they seek.
Great idea. But the true logic behind not enforcing existing gun laws is this: pass a gun law and then don’t enforce it, then claim it is not working and you need tougher laws. Pass another law, don’t enforce it and claim you need tougher lwas. Repeat until you pass total confiscation laws, and enforce that.
you are so correct here.