Yesterday, House Bill 35 passed in the House by a 24-17 vote. Sponsored by state Representative Valerie Longhurst (D-15), HB 35 would criminalize virtually all private transfers of firearms by requiring that a criminal history background check be performed in connection with the sale or transfer of all firearms. Background checks (subject to fees) would be performed by licensed firearms dealers, who would be required to maintain records of such background checks in accordance with state and federal law.
House Bill 35 now goes to the state Senate. It is critical that you contact your state Senator now and strongly urge him or her to OPPOSE HB 35.
While there might be limited exceptions – make no mistake – HB 35 is the first step toward the criminalization of all private firearm transfers. This system can only be enforced with gun registration. And, as we know from experiences in California, Australia and Great Britain, gun registration enables gun confiscation—only from honest citizens—since criminals don’t register their guns or submit to criminal investigations for firearms acquisition or transfers.
Please contact your Senator and urge him or her to OPPOSE House Bill 35.
Contact information for your state legislators can be found here.