But, they still do want to go after the actual criminals, such as gang-bangers, illegal aliens, and other bad players through aggressive policing, because that would be raaaaacist
Taking Aim at the NRA, Philadelphia DA Vows Crackdown on Illegal Guns
While lambasting what he characterized as his predecessors’ ulterior motives and their tendency to kowtow to the National Rifle Association, Philadelphia’s District Attorney took aim Wednesday at people who buy guns for others who can’t legally own them.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said his office will use a decade-old but barely enforced law to prosecute cases in which gun owners fail to report lost or stolen guns. Anyone who breaks this law will face a $2,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
In a fiery hour-long news conference, Krasner also took aim at the NRA, past Philadelphia district attorneys, the federal government, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Legislature and the state Attorney General.
“A lot of the guns that are claimed to be lost and stolen never were; they were sold illegally and they end up in the hands of people who commit crimes,” Krasner said.
The district attorney painted a vivid picture of gun owners who have purchased up to 20 guns and who had at least one of those firearms traced to crimes. He called claims that those guns were all lost or stolen “bogus.”
Can anyone point out where the NRA or their spokespeople have stated that they are OK with straw purchases? OK with people doing the above? I’ll wait. Not long, because you won’t find it.
Regardless, this is a strawman. First, good luck trying to purchase 20 guns in a short time in Philly. Even in much less restrictive areas, someone is going to notice all those applications for background checks. Second, there are federal laws on the books for strawman purchases, which are illegal. Law abiding gun owners have no problem with blocking people who shouldn’t have a firearm from getting one, and prosecuting bad players.
Kimberly Burrell, whose 18-year-old son was gunned down in 2009, backed up Krasner’s assertion. Her son’s killer, she said, got ahold of his gun through a so-called straw purchase, whereby someone who is not legally allowed to buy a gun obtains one through a middleman. Her own son was carrying a gun attained through a straw purchase at the time of his death.
Perhaps she should be more worried as to why her son illegally obtained a firearm. Her other two sons have been involved with the criminal justice system, ie, they’ve committed crimes serious enough for jail time. Not mentioned is that she is also part of Krasner’s Crime Victim Advisory Committee.
By all means, go after people who illegally sell firearms. I’m good with it. The NRA is good with that.
The NRA has repeatedly filed lawsuits opposing gun control measures throughout the country. It was unclear if the group will be pursuing a suit against the Philadelphia law, but Krasner said he could see such a legal fight in the horizon.
Unclear meaning that Rudy Chinchilla for NBC 10 in Philly didn’t bother contacting them.
Go ahead and do this, but, at the same time, don’t forget to go after criminals…oh, right, that’s racist.
