The Bear Facts...

For a while I have been thinking about and considering options for the State of Illinois to consider in regards to issuance of Firearm Owner Identification cads, (FOID) and a form of gun control.

Recently, I have been considered for a very "influential" position. With any "influential" position, a detailed background check is required. One part of the background check is allowing exclusive access and disclosure of any and all medical records. If a candidate refuses access, they are automatically disqualified for any and all positions offered.

Owning a firearm is a huge responsibility. A motor vehicle operator is tested to ensure the operator is qualified enough to operate a motor vehicle as well as knows all of the laws that apply to driving. I do realize with the way most people operate their vehicles, it would appear that they put a quarter in a vending machine and received their license. I do agree that tighter restrictions should apply to operating a motor vehicle and should also include operation of pedal operated vehicles, (AKA; bicycles), but, I will reserve that for another entry.

Just as a motor vehicle is required to know laws and the ability to operate a vehicle, a forearm owner should be required to know a firearm and the laws in regards to firearm ownership. With incidents such as Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University in mind, I started questioning and thinking how can we tighten restrictions on firearm ownership. Taking the Northern Illinois murderer into consideration, I would have been suspicious just by the tattoos which were displayed on his arms. How and why mental capacity wasn’t questioned with a tattoo that portrays the puppet from the horror/ slasher movie “Saw”. Yes, this is a free country and anyone does have the option of having any tattoo they wish on their own body, but, the way I view it, someone who has a demonic sign or a character like the puppet from “Saw” raises serious mental questions. Portraying those types of tattoos should raise serious question and reason enough to investigate a person’s background. Those types of tattoos are like gang tattoos and represent something evil and or demonic. If someone is warped enough to idolize a killer from a slasher movie should not be allowed to own a firearm.

If the U.S. Government requires complete disclosure of background and medical records, why can’t the State of Illinois require the same? When a firearm is purchased, the buyer must wait a mandatory 3 day waiting period and must complete a firearm ownership form for that firearm. Considering the purchaser already has a FOID, the dealer is taking for granted the purchaser is legally as well as mentally capable of ownership. However, the background checks required for an FOID is very vague and doesn’t go deep into a person’s background. An applicant is checked for a criminal history, but that really is the extent of the background. The Illinois State Police should not only perform a criminal background check for an FOID, but, should also allow complete disclosure of all medical records as well as a questionnaire in regards to ownership, family history and medical background. If a person discloses they have psychological assistance, their application should be “red-flagged” and investigated more thoroughly. A person who refuses to or fails to disclose a medical background will be cause for reject of an application.  An applicant must also sign a release allowing full disclosure of all and complete medical records and disclose every physician, psychologist and doctor who has examined the applicant. If an applicant is found to have falsified any medical information including psychological, the FOID is immediately revoked and all firearms are seized. If the applicant is found competent by a medical professional selected by the Illinois State Police, the FOID may be returned at the discretion of the Illinois State Police.

I also believe all states should require a similar form of identification as the FOID. If all states require an FOID, then a person from Illinois who was denied an FOID can not go to surrounding states to purchase a firearm. If all states require a form of ownership identification, a purchaser can not go to Tennessee and purchase a firearm and bring it back into Illinois. I also believe all firearm purchases outside of the state of residence should be investigated by The Illinois State Police, especially if several firearms were purchased at the same time or on the same date. I believe all serial numbers as well as twist and muzzle print filed for ownership with the state police. If a firearm is registered at the time of purchase with muzzle twist and striations, if the firearm is used in a homicide, a bullet with twist, striation and muzzle print is already on file. I guess one can view it as an AFIS for firearms, as each firearm has a unique and distinct print. If a barrel is replaced, the state police or ATF is automatically notified by the manufacturer or gun smith and a new print and bullet sample is refilled for that particular firearm. If an owner sells a firearm, the Illinois State Police and or ATF must be notified so ownership records are updated and the new owner can be traced.

My idea is only a rough draft. Anyone who wishes to modify it, please feel free. If The Illinois State Police and ATF believe my proposal or ideas show merit, or wish to initiate any form of my ideas please feel free to do so. I do realize that there are holes in my proposal, alteration and  some adjustments will need to be made, but, I believe if a thorough background check is performed, including medical and psychological, if all states initiate a form of firearm owner authorization, if federal dealer requirements include verification of state of residence as well as the knowledge of ownership laws and requirements,  if a firearm is registered with the state of residence and ATF, if ATF sets up a database similar to AFIS specifically for firearms and bullets fired from the firearms, I do believe we will not only be able to track firearms used in homicides, but also reduce the amount of illegal firearms on the street as well as owners who should not possess firearms.