OPINION – The best part about the latest State of the Union address was when commentator Lew Rockwell referred to the endless standing ovations as “fascist jumping jacks.” This yearly spectacle has become a self-congratulatory ritual of sorts for the celebration of the state by its biggest supporters.
Not surprisingly, the biggest applause of the night was reserved for the president’s calls for expanding gun control.
Since the Newtown massacre two months ago, the president along with Sen. Diane Feinstein have agitated tirelessly for legislation that they insist will “reduce gun violence.” Among their proposed solutions are a ban on self-loading rifles and standard capacity magazines, and the implementation of universal background checks for every firearm transfer. The first two items are very unlikely to be voted on, much less passed into law.
That last item is the one to keep an eye on, since it’s the most likely to pass with the help of Republicans in Congress. But these seemingly reasonable universal background checks could actually be one of the most dangerous laws to be proposed in some time.
There are several obvious problems associated with federal background checks. Note that these proposed checks would apply to every firearm “transfer” not simply firearms sales. This means that every firearm that changes hands, whether as a gift, an inheritance, or as a sale, must be subject to government approval or the transfer will be considered a crime.
When this is the case, every person is considered to be a felon, or otherwise ineligible to own a firearm until they have proven to the government’s satisfaction that they are not. This completely turns the time-honored concept of “innocent until proven guilty” on its head. It prevents people from exercising an inalienable right without first observing due process or even showing probable cause that they shouldn’t be able to do so.
It converts a personal right that preexists government into a privilege that becomes subject to the prevailing whims of government.
If, for some reason, the government’s background check computer system were to shut down, either accidentally or on purpose, it would effectively halt the ability of every law-abiding person to legally transfer a firearm. Criminals, in the meantime, would continue to operate outside the law and to steal, buy, or otherwise acquire their guns through non-traceable sources.
Universal background checks could also serve as an entrance to what former FBI agent Dale C. Carlson calls “the electronic plantation.” By this, Carlson refers to how personal information, once gathered by the government, becomes part of an ever-growing government database.
For instance, in the days when records were kept on paper, if a person were arrested, they could move to a new town, change their name and get a fresh start on life. Now even arrests that did not result in conviction can show up in employment background checks and disqualify people from certain jobs. There is nowhere that escapes the coverage of this electronic umbrella.
When every firearms transfer must first pass through a government computer system, it will create a permanent electronic record of who owns what guns. Government has no business keeping track of lawfully owned private property. The only time the state should enter the picture is when probable cause exists that someone has committed an actual crime in which there is a victim.
Does any reasonable person still believe that the records of firearms ownership will not be kept and used to the advantage of those in power? Historically, governments that have kept records of private firearms ownership, have later gone on to use those records for registration and then confiscation.
While many of the nation’s gun owners are busy fighting the proposed bans on evil black rifles and regular capacity magazines, they may be missing the bigger threat that is more liable to become law.
It’s extremely likely that Obama, Feinstein, and their congressional cohorts have deliberately aimed high with their sweeping gun and magazine bans in order to compromise to reach a seemingly lesser goal. They may even act disappointed when settling for mandatory background checks, but these checks could easily set the stage for full-scale registration and eventual confiscation.
There is nothing reasonable or common sense about allowing government to consider you a criminal until you prove otherwise. Nor is it wise to convert the natural right of self-defense into a privilege requiring the state’s permission.
Bryan Hyde is a news commentator and co-host of the Perspectives morning show on Fox News 1450 AM 93.1 FM. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
Once the law is in place, people should understand this and do the things necessary to make sure they are approved. What is wrong with this law? Seriously. Many gun crimes are committed by people who have previous violent records.
So whats wrong with this law? A lot of things are. Have you ever taken a world history class? Look up what Hitler did to his own citizens and what the communist red party did to take over russia and killed thousands of people.
Also law abiding citizens are the victims here. Criminals will circumvent the law so they don’t get tracked and will continue to commit crimes. They will also be able to commit these crimes with ease knowing that the common citizen (i.e. Katelyn) either doesn’t have a gun because she is waiting on the government to say she isn’t a felon, or she can’t get a gun because no one will sell her one.
Look up crime rates in Chicago where guns are outlawed.
Thank you brain for bring to the attention of the blind,the real facts! It is astonishing how many gun owning supporters of the 2nd amendment i have heard that are buying in to the ploy, the plain fact is that the 2nd amendment it not up for debate or compromise! The fact that it is # 2 in the bill of rights bares truth to its importance and # 9&10 further solidify its unwavering place in our constitution. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE IT BUT GOD HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKT IT BUT GOD HIMSELF” LMAO!! There is no GOD and you have no proof that there is period. You rely on fictious character because of weakness. Maybe you should go pray and tell “GOD” about the men in usits coming to get your guns!
Just because you say there is no proof of God, doesn’t make it so.
There is likewise no evidence that God does not exist.
That truly is the dumbest,stupidest thing ive heard today.God will take them.I wish someone could tell me honestly how to get in touch with this god,.LM••O
Many people do not understand that this isn’t about gun control, it’s about “Control” of people in a general kind of way. They are using a “We can keep you safe” approach so people will feel okay about their rights and freedoms being slowly taken away. Along with this convenient control maneuver tactic using safety as the reason, the control by the IRS is starting to ramp up. One of the goals of Obama care is to use the IRS as the police force to help them. Have you taken a look at changes in the W-2 info requested? That’s just a start, hold on, a tidal wave is coming.
But back to the topic. Total Control is what the administration is after. After we get smacked around a little with the 2nd Amendment rights, what’s next, they go after the 1st Amendment? They’ll start to tell you what you can say or what you can believe in. Oh wait, that’s kind of already started. It’s all about control and in 3-4 yrs things will look enormously different than they do right now unless people start fighting for their freedoms. Let elected officials know how you feel. Do what ever it takes or it will be gone.
Your life is full of paranoia and your delusions are rather funny!
Well how about a free ride in a cattle car to your new job in the Kolyma? Papers? Oh that’s alright, the MVP has got your article 52 right here…I recommend you hold your breath down there, you might get silicosis…no you don’t think so? okay…
okay okay, the MVD…or NKVD…but anyways.
I’ve heard this before…. Oh yea it was 4 years ago.
Obama is coming for your guns! RUN, HIDE YOUR GUNS, they will be going door to door gathering them!
I love the fear they place in the gullible and people that can’t think for themselves.
And Alvin please tell me how the 1st amendment is under attack? You are here posting whatever you want and so am I?
I know Mr. Hannity and Rush and other alike were making up things 4 years ago about it but yet they are still here….
Does the order to spew total jackass propaganda come from your little brain or does Fox news send out memos to you all stating exactly what to say?
sorry bryan i guess spell-check thought i meant to call you brain
Good lord Bryan you spew such bunk!! ” Government has no business keeping track of lawfully owned private property. ” Bryan why do you tell the government the home you own, the vehicles you own? Why don’t you be a true leader and just tell the government where to go? Show us all your the real man and not just a promoter of bigotry and hate and fear. Well played Fox news guy well played!!
“We think it’s reasonable to provide mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale at every gun show,” Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said in 1999 after the Columbine High School shooting in suburban Denver. “No loopholes anywhere for anyone.”
No loopholes anywhere for anyone? What has changed Mr. LaPierre’s mind then? Oh right, we elected a President that the far-right is so irrationally afraid of that they have lost all sense of perspective. The sky is falling, the sky is falling!
So with that logic I guess we should get rid of the drunk driving laws that we have and any other law for that matter because let’s face it CRIMINALS will break the law anyways and they only hurt law abiding citizens!
I am so sick and tired of people like Brian, Rush, Hannity, (and no Brian it’s not meant as a compliment to put you with them) all they do is complain, scream and spread fear and never give a solution to any problems, and if you disagree with them then YOU ARE UN AMERICAN….
I understand what you are saying I agree with some of it, but if you are going to disagree with it and dismiss it then GIVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM!
The fact is that “WE” can’t afford to sit back and do nothing any more, something has to be done and no MORE GUNS is not the answer to gun control.
Now please tell me how I’m somehow related to Hitler because I disagree with you.
It’s so interesting to see all those of the above bash Bryan, Hannity and Rush and FOX for what they say, sure do know what they talk about on a daily basis. So that must mean that all those “bashers” MUST listen to all of them inorder to know what they are supposedly instilling fear in the public. So you dislike what they say….yet you listen and read what they put out. Why don’t you guys just stick with MSNBC and Huffington Post….they are more to your way of thinking.
Excellent article, Bryan.
Unfortunately, most of the comments here seem to be by folks who have no concept of freedom, and rights that predate any gov’t.