No new gun laws needed; enforce existing instead

No new gun laws. Instead, aggressively prosecute criminals under current federal laws. It’s not happening under Obama’s/Holder’s Justice Department.

Syracuse University Transac-tional Records Access Clearing House reviews federal law enforcement performance. Chicago 2012; 506 firearm murders. Possibly worst violent crime big city in nation. Fiscal 2011; 63 federal gun-law prosecutions. TRAC rating 89 of 90 U.S. Attorney districts.

Current federal gun laws/penalties

• 18USC.922(g) — Felon/drug user possession firearm/ammunition; 10 years.

• 18USC.922(j) — Possession stolen firearm; 10 years.

• 18USC.922(i) — Interstate shipment/transport stolen firearm; 10 years.

• 18USC924(b) — Interstate shipping/transporting/receiving firearm with intent to commit felony; 10 years.

• 18USC.924(1)(a) — Carrying/using/possessing firearm in connection with violent crime/drug trafficking; 5 to 30 years consecutive mandatory minimum sentences.

• 18USC.924(j) — Murder while possessing firearm in connection with violent crime/drug trafficking; death or up to life.

• 18USC.924(e)— Prohibited person with three prior drug/violent felony convictions; 15 years mandatory minimum.

• 18USC.924(g) — Interstate travel to acquire/transfer firearm to commit crime; 10 years.

Many of Chicago’s 2012; 506 murders would never have happened if armed violent gang members/drug dealers aggressively prosecuted and locked up in fiscal 2011.

Lying on background check form 4473, straw gun sales, federal felonies. Almost never prosecuted under Obama/Holder.

Two exceptions. New sensible legislation.

• Expanded background checks, commercial gun sales via Internet/gun shows make sense if record keeping possibly leading to de facto gun registration prohibited, private sales/transfers exempted.

• All state’s concealed weapons licenses be valid in all other states same as driver’s licenses makes even more sense.

PHIL POUTRÉ

Cocolalla