In an analysis published last week, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported that about 40% of guns used by criminals were purchased from unlicensed individuals, such as some of those who sell at gun shows, flea markets or through online and other advertising.
Buying a firearm from a licensed dealer requires a background check. Gun control proponents have long called for closing the so-called federal "gun show loophole" that allows sales by private individuals to bypass the background check.
President Joe Biden's administration is planning to do just that.
The ATF is submitting a new rule requiring anyone who repeatedly sells guns for profit to be licensed and mandating a background check no matter where a firearm is sold, including gun shows, private residences and other venues, as well as sales arranged online, by text or by mail.
"Under this regulation, it will not matter if guns are sold on the internet, at a gun show, or at a brick-and-mortar store. If you sell guns predominantly to earn a profit, you must be licensed, and you must conduct background checks," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
The new rule is set to take effect in 30 days.
Second Amendment advocates are sure to challenge the new rule in court.
We want to know what you think. Do you support this expansion of licensing and background check requirements? Or are you opposed?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, April 17. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.