Background Checks For Ammo? Could Become Law in California (xpost from GD)

[KamaAina]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/background-checks-for-ammo-could-happen-in-california

California voters will vote in November on whether purchasing ammunition should require a background check.

A referendum supported by California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom gained the required number of signatures to appear on the statewide ballot, according to a report from the Sacramento Bee.

“Enough massacres, death, tears, and hate – it’s time to take action and save lives,” Newsom said in a statement, according to the Bee. “The Safety for All initiative gives California voters the opportunity to keep guns and ammo out of the hands of violent, dangerous, hateful people."

The measure would also ban individuals from having magazine clips with over 10 rounds and would require ammunition dealers to be licensed.

[Travis_0004]

1. Is this about safety, or trying to make ammo more expensive as a FU to gun owners?

For the record, I make bullets out of lead wheel weights that an auto dealership gives me. I cant see how this is going to stop one crime. Meanwhile, its not profitable sell 50 bullets for 15 bucks and do a background check.

[elljay]

2. It will make a point

Actually, it probably will stop some shootings, especially suicides. It won't make a dent in the carnage but if the NRA and their wholly-owned Congressional subsidiaries are going to oppose every single proposal for reasonable gun control, then it is time for ammo control. It will certainly get the 2nd Amendment in front of a court that will not have Scalia!

[Travis_0004]

3. How will it stop suicides?

I would assume most gun owners have at least one bullet at their house.

[elljay]

4. Because suicide is an instant decision

A person decides to kill himself, gun is there, simple. When suicidal people don't have an instantaneous way to kill themselves (jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge etc.) it increases he chance of changing their minds or if there being an intervention. Maybe some people will not buy ammo on a particular day because they're unsure of the background check and the gun at home will be empty when a suicidal person finds it. Maybe the suicidal person buying ammo will have to wait a day for the check to be completed and change his mind. I'm not saying it will stop all or even many suicides. However, in the absence of a better solution, I'll take saving one life.