Special Alert - Toomey In Talks over Universal Background Checks :: 04/09/2013

Senator Pat Toomey is engaged in talks with Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia regarding universal background checks. We ask that you contact Senator Toomey to tell him that you are opposed to universal background checks.

Why should you be opposed to universal background checks?

Demonstrably, they don't work! We already have a "near" universal background check known as the National Instant Check System or in the case of Pennsylvania the Pennsylvania Instant Check System. Did these play a role in stopping the approximately 112 mass murders since 1996. ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams said: "85% of the homicides in Philadelphia are caused by people (principally habitual criminals) using illegally obtained handguns, with 99% of those being committed by individuals not licensed to carry ..."
There is NO valid research nor are there any valid / objective studies that suggest that universal background checks will have ANY effect on homocides.
There is NO expectation that, suddenly, criminals will submit to background checks.
Universal background checks mean that before you lend your gun to a relative or friend you will have to request a background check on your relative or friend.
All background checks must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer.
There has been NO decision about how much universal background checks will cost. It has been suggested that they could equal, $200.00; the same cost levied for Class 3 weapons (fully automatic firearms). Background check fees for a federally mandated program can be any amount they decide.
On Thursday, January 10, 2013, i the Obama administration admitted it didn't have time to prosecute people for lying on current federal background check forms.
The universal background check system legislation that we have previously seen, allows the government to keep a computerized government registry of gun owners. This amounts to universal gun registration and gun owner licensing.

By definition, universal background checks target ONLY law-abiding citizens. Universal background checks have nothing to do with gun shows - they are about you.

It is ALREADY

a federal felony to be engaged in the business of buying and selling firearms, for livelihood and profit, without having a federal firearm dealers license.
a crime for a federally licensed dealer to sell a gun without doing a background check - that's all dealers, everywhere, including at retail stores, gun shows, flea markets or anywhere else.
a federal felony for any private person to sell, trade, give, lend, rent or transfer a gun to a person you know or should have known is not legally allowed to own, purchase or possess a firearm.
a federal felony to submit false information on a background check form for the purpose of purchasing a firearm.
unlawful to sell a gun to a person who is a criminal, mentally ill, mentally incompetent, alcohol abuser or drug abuseris 10-year federal felony. That's now, today, with no changes to the law.

According to a 2012 report to the Department of Justice, more than 72,000 people were turned down on a gun purchase in 2010 because they didn't pass the background check. Yet, only 44 of those cases were prosecuted. Why, when criminals are caught in act of lying on the form to illegallypurchase a firearm are they not prosecuted?

Obama has stated that 70% of NRA members support "universal background checks." The NRA has stated that is NOT TRUE! Please call Senator Toomey's office. Tell him you are opposed to universal background checks! Toll-free phone (for callers in PA): 1-855-552-1831

Allentown/Lehigh Valley 1150 S. Cedar Crest Blvd Suite 101 Allentown, PA 18103 Phone: (610) 434-1444

Erie United States Federal Building 17 South Park Row Suite B-120 Erie, PA 16501 Phone: (814) 453-3010

Harrisburg United States Federal Building 228 Walnut St. Suite 1104 Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phone: (717) 782-3951

Johnstown Richland Square III, Suite 302 1397 Eisenhower Blvd Johnstown, PA 15904 Phone: (814) 266-5970

Philadelphia 8 Penn Center 1628 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 1702 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: (215) 241-1090

Pittsburgh 100 W. Station Square Dr. Suite 225 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: (412) 803-3501

Scranton 538 Spruce Street Suite 302 Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 941-3540

Washington, D.C. 502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4254