The gun solution we're not talking about

Summary

The video script discusses the limitations of universal background checks in addressing America's gun crisis. It highlights the outdated FBI database, which often lacks crucial records, allowing individuals with criminal backgrounds to pass checks. Instead, the script suggests that a licensing system, implemented in 12 states and DC, is more effective. This system involves safety courses, comprehensive background checks, and a multi-agency review process, which has been linked to reduced gun-related deaths in states like Connecticut.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The script discusses the recurring debate over background checks in the wake of mass shootings in the United States.
• 🇺🇸 There is bipartisan support for background checks, including from some Republicans, to enhance gun control measures.
• 🚫 The current background check system in the U.S. is criticized as being ineffective, with many calling for its improvement.
• 🔗 The proposal for universal background checks aims to extend checks to all gun purchases, including those at gun shows and private sales.
• 👍 There is broad public support for universal background checks, as they are seen as a common-sense measure.
• 🚨 However, the script argues that universal background checks alone will not resolve America's gun crisis.
• 🔎 The script contrasts two types of gun buyers: one with a criminal record and one without, to illustrate how background checks work.
• ⏱ The FBI's instant background check system is described as quick, averaging a response time of 108 seconds.
• 📊 Despite the intention of background checks, the script points out that they are not foolproof due to incomplete or outdated databases.
• 🏥 The script highlights that background checks are reactive, catching only those with existing records, not those who may become a threat in the future.
• 🏛 The script suggests an alternative approach: gun licensing systems, which are more comprehensive and can include safety courses and local law enforcement checks.
• 📉 Research cited in the script indicates that licensing systems, as implemented in certain states, have been associated with reductions in gun-related deaths.
• 🗳️ Public opinion polls and voter sentiments are shown to favor licensing systems, which are seen as more effective than mere background checks.

Q & A

What is the current requirement for background checks when purchasing a gun in the US?

Currently, gun buyers in the US only have to go through a background check at a licensed gun store, but not if they buy a gun from an unlicensed dealer, such as at a gun show or through a private sale.

What does the term 'universal background checks' imply?

Universal background checks imply that everyone who buys a gun, regardless of whether it's through a licensed store, a gun show, or a private sale, would have to go through a background check.

What is the average time taken by the FBI to respond to an instant background check request?

The FBI's instant background check typically takes an average of 108 seconds to respond.

Why are universal background checks considered insufficient to solve America's gun crisis according to the script?

Universal background checks are considered insufficient because the FBI database is outdated and missing millions of records, which allows individuals with criminal records to pass checks and purchase guns. Additionally, background checks only identify 'already bad' people and fail to predict those who might become a threat in the future.

What role do state police and other agencies play in the background check system?

State police and other agencies send records to the FBI's database, which is then checked during a background check to see if the buyer has a criminal record, addiction, a restraining order, or has been hospitalized for a mental illness.

What are the two main issues with the current background check system as described in the script?

The two main issues are that the FBI database is outdated and missing millions of records, and the system only identifies people with existing criminal records, failing to account for those who may become a threat in the future.

How does the licensing system differ from the background check system?

The licensing system requires individuals to take a firearm safety course, submit an application with references, and undergo a more comprehensive background check that includes direct contact with all local law enforcement agencies and the Department of Mental Health where the applicant has lived.

What is the average time taken for the entire licensing process in Massachusetts?

The entire licensing process in Massachusetts usually takes about 3 weeks.

What are the two main benefits of the gun licensing system as per the script?

The licensing system is designed to identify and screen out people who shouldn't have guns and to reduce impulsive gun purchases, thus preventing both known threats and potentially dangerous individuals without a criminal record from obtaining firearms.

What were the observed effects on gun-related deaths after Connecticut implemented a licensing system?

After Connecticut implemented a licensing system in 1995, they saw a drop in gun homicides and gun suicides over the next 10 years.

How did the removal of the licensing system in Missouri affect gun-related deaths?

After Missouri got rid of its licensing system in 2007, there was a significant spike in homicides and gun suicides over the next decade.

What is the general public opinion on the gun licensing system according to the script?

The gun licensing system is popular among the public, with more than two-thirds of voters who live in a house with a gun supporting it, and over three-quarters of all Americans in favor.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Debate on Background Checks for Gun Purchases

The paragraph discusses the political stance on background checks for gun purchases in the United States, highlighting the belief among some Republicans that these checks are necessary. It points out the flaws in the current system, which fails to include checks for private sales or gun shows. The paragraph introduces the concept of universal background checks and the general public support for them. However, it also argues that these checks alone will not resolve the gun crisis, suggesting that there are more effective measures that could be taken. The paragraph uses the example of the FBI's instant background check system, which is quick but may not be comprehensive enough due to outdated or incomplete databases, allowing individuals with criminal histories to pass checks and purchase firearms.

05:04

📚 Beyond Background Checks: The Effectiveness of Licensing Systems

This paragraph explores the limitations of background checks and introduces an alternative approach: gun licensing systems. It explains how licensing systems, such as the one in Massachusetts, require prospective gun owners to undergo a more rigorous process including firearm safety courses, applications with references, and comprehensive background checks involving local law enforcement and mental health departments. The paragraph argues that licensing systems are more effective in preventing individuals who should not own guns from obtaining them, and also serve to reduce impulsive gun purchases, which can be crucial in preventing suicides and homicides. The paragraph cites research and statistics from states with and without licensing systems to support the argument that licensing is a more effective measure in reducing gun-related deaths.

Keywords

💡Mass Shooting

A mass shooting refers to an incident involving multiple victims of firearm-related violence. In the context of the video, it is used to highlight the recurring issue of gun violence in America, which prompts discussions about the need for stricter gun control measures, such as background checks.

💡Background Check

A background check is a process of investigating an individual's criminal history, mental health, and other factors to determine their eligibility to purchase a firearm. The video discusses the current system's inadequacies and the proposal for universal background checks to enhance gun control.

💡Universal Background Checks

Universal background checks imply that every potential gun buyer, regardless of the purchase location, would undergo a background check. The video argues that while this approach is popular, it may not be as effective as other measures in addressing the gun crisis.

💡FBI Instant Background Check

The FBI instant background check is a rapid system used to determine if a potential gun buyer has a criminal record or other disqualifying factors. The video explains that this system is quick, averaging 108 seconds for a response, but it has limitations, such as missing records.

💡Gun Licensing System

A gun licensing system is a more comprehensive process that involves taking a safety course, providing references, and undergoing a thorough background check. The video suggests that this system could be more effective than background checks alone in preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands.

💡Firearm Safety Course

A firearm safety course is a mandatory educational program that prospective gun owners must complete before obtaining a license to purchase a firearm. The video mentions this as a part of the licensing system, emphasizing the importance of education in gun safety.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. The video discusses how the background check system should consider mental health records to prevent guns from being purchased by individuals with certain mental illnesses.

💡Domestic Violence

Domestic violence involves violent or aggressive behavior within the context of a family or intimate relationship. The video uses this term to illustrate the type of criminal history that should disqualify individuals from purchasing firearms.

💡Gun Crisis

The term 'gun crisis' encapsulates the critical issue of gun-related deaths and injuries in the United States. The video argues that while background checks are a step in the right direction, they do not fully address the complexity of the gun crisis.

💡Impulsive Gun Purchases

Impulsive gun purchases refer to the act of buying a firearm without careful consideration, often in moments of emotional distress. The video suggests that licensing systems can help reduce such purchases by creating a delay, potentially preventing gun-related tragedies.

💡Licensing System Effectiveness

The video discusses the effectiveness of licensing systems by comparing states with and without such systems, noting a decrease in gun-related deaths in states with licensing requirements. This suggests that comprehensive licensing can be a more effective measure in reducing gun violence.

Highlights

Politicians often call for background checks after mass shootings in America.

Some Republicans support background checks, acknowledging the existing system's flaws.

Universal background checks are favored by most Americans but are not a complete solution to gun violence.

The current background check system only requires checks for gun store purchases, not private sales.

Under universal background checks, all gun purchases would be subject to an FBI instant background check.

The FBI's database for background checks is outdated and missing millions of records.

Despite background checks, individuals with criminal records have still been able to purchase guns due to database omissions.

Studies show that universal background checks do not significantly impact gun deaths.

Background checks only identify 'good' and 'already bad' people, missing potential future threats.

Twelve states and Washington, DC have implemented a more comprehensive gun licensing system.

The Massachusetts licensing system requires a safety course, application, references, and fingerprinting.

Licensing systems involve local law enforcement and mental health departments for a more thorough check.

Licensing systems are designed to screen out people who shouldn't have guns and reduce impulsive purchases.

Connecticut saw a decrease in gun-related homicides and suicides after implementing a licensing system.

Missouri experienced an increase in gun-related deaths after abolishing its licensing system.

Gun licensing is popular among voters, including those living in households with guns.

Licensing systems are more effective at preventing people from obtaining guns when they shouldn't have them.

Transcripts

Every time there’s another mass shooting in America — politicians have the same idea.

It’s time to require a background check for anyone who wants to buy a gun.

I’m one of the Republicans who does believe there should be background checks.

It is an open secret that the existing background check system is broken.

Oh I have an appetite for background checks. We’re going to be doing background checks.

Here’s what they want to change: Right now, gun buyers in the US only have to go through

a background check at a gun store.

But they don’t have to go through one if they buy a gun from an unlicensed dealer,

like at a gun show or a private sale. But with universal background checks, everyone

who buys a gun would go through one.

Pretty much every American is in favor of this.

There’s only one problem. Universal background checks won’t solve America’s gun crisis.

But there’s something else that might.

To understand how background checks work, it helps to imagine two very different people,

who both want to buy a gun.

This first person is dangerous. Maybe he has a history of domestic violence or mental illness.

And most importantly — he has a record.

And the second one is not dangerous. He just wants a gun for protection or to go hunting

or cause shooting guns is kinda fun.

Before either one can buy a gun, they first have to go through an FBI instant background check.

And I mean instant — it only takes an average of 108 seconds to get a response from the

FBI’s database.

That database is made up of records sent in by state police and other agencies. And it’s

checked to see if the buyer has things like a criminal record, addiction, a restraining

order or has been hospitalized for a mental illness.

Under a universal background check system, anyone buying a gun — whether in a gun store,

or through a private sale — would have to be checked through that database. That means

our second person walks out with a gun. And our first person, with a criminal record,

doesn’t.

Or, at least he shouldn’t.

I’ve done a lot of reporting on this, we have just seen time and time again background

checks just do not stop people we don’t want having guns from actually getting the

weapons.

There are a couple problems with the background check system. One is that the FBI database

is about as outdated as its logo.

It’s missing millions of records.

That’s why the Charleston church shooter was able to buy a gun, despite having a record.

Or why the man who killed 26 Texan churchgoers was also able to pass a background check,

after the Air Force failed to send his domestic abuse convictions to the FBI.

So even with a background check for every type of sale, there’s still a chance this

guy gets a gun.

That’s partly why study after study has found that while background checks “prevent,

or make substantially more difficult, the criminal acquisition of firearms.”

Making them universal doesn’t actually have any effect on the actual gun crisis in America:

gun deaths.

A Johns Hopkins study of California, where comprehensive background checks were implemented

in 1991, found the law was “not associated with changes in firearm suicide or homicide.”

Thanks in part to those incomplete and missing records.

The other problem is that background checks only look at “good” people and “already

bad” people. But there is an in between.

The background checks are supposed to catch people who have a record already. It just

misses all the people who haven’t done anything bad yet but might do something bad in the

future.

German is not advocating for a Minority Report situation.

He’s talking about someone like this guy, who is also dangerous, but

who doesn’t have a record.

Under a universal background check system — he could get a gun. In 108 seconds.

But there’s another system that could prevent this.

Twelve states and Washington, DC have gone one step further and established a licensing

system.

How’s it different? Well, Here’s how it works in Massachusetts:

Before you ever go to a gun store, you first have to take a firearm safety course.

Then you go to the police department and submit an application, give references and give your

fingerprints for a background check.

Then not only is the FBI database checked, but all local law enforcement agencies wherever

you’ve lived are directly contacted, along with the Department of Mental Health.

That entire process in Massachusetts usually takes about 3 weeks. And most people‚ about

97% — pass.

Nothing about a gun licensing system will prevent a law-abiding citizen from going through

the process and obtaining a firearm.

That’s Dr. Cassandra Crifasi, she researches health policy at Johns Hopkins, and she’s

one of the authors of the studies earlier.

And she says the reason licensing works is that it’s designed to do both of the big

things background checks fail at.

A, to properly identify and screen out people who shouldn’t have guns.

And B, create a system to reduce impulsive gun purchases.

The licensing system is more comprehensive than the one-database background check system,

so our criminal will be reliably denied a gun.

But because it’s so meticulous it also stands a chance of keeping our third guy, without

a record, from getting a gun.

There are people who, may want to impulsively acquire a firearm, for example to harm themselves

or others.

And the process of obtaining a license can at least delay that person during that time

of crisis or maybe deter them from getting that firearm at all.

In 1995, Connecticut implemented a licensing system.

Over the next 10 years, they saw a drop in gun homicides and gun suicides.

Compare that to Missouri, which once had a licensing system, but got rid of it in 2007.

Over the next decade, they had a huge spike in homicides and gun suicides.

In both states there were lots of factors involved. But researchers say this shows that

licensing works.

It’s also… pretty popular. Among voters who live in a house with a gun, more than

two-thirds think that it’s a good idea. Ask all Americans and more than three-quarters

support it.

Background checks are supposed to stop bad people from getting guns. But they often don’t.

Licensing picks up that slack.

By making sure that people are crossing these hurdles, we just make sure, in a much better, stronger

way, that people are not getting firearms when they shouldn’t have them.