I dare you to dislike this background check gun bill

We don’t agree on much. Almost nothing, actually.

One thing that comes close, however, is mandatory background checks on gun sales.

The polls say that something like 90% of us support the idea.

Along those lines, Democrats at the Arizona Legislature have introduced a bill that would seem to be palatable to just about everyone in the state. Except ... Republican lawmakers. Meaning it will not pass.

The thing about the Senate Bill 1624, however, is that it is loaded with the kind of exceptions that should make it acceptable to individuals across the board.

Except ... Republican lawmakers. And the gun lobby to which they are beholden.

The bill would require firearms sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearms dealer, who would conduct a background check. That dealer can’t charge more than $20 for the service.

Are there exceptions? Plenty.

A person who is loaned a weapon to target shoot, no problem.

A person who is loaned a firearm to hunt, no problem.

A person who is loaned a gun for a “lawful recreational activity,” no problem.

Can a firearm be inherited after the death of a lawful owner? Yes. Antique firearms? No problem. Can a weapon be a gift between family members, including spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts and uncles?

Yes.

It is OK to temporarily transfer a firearm to “prevent imminent death or great bodily harm”?

Of course.

And there are logical exemptions for law enforcement, military, gunsmiths, “warehouseman” and more.

Violation of the law would be a Class 5 felony, which carries a twoyear prison term.

Would the law prevent anyone who is legally eligible to own a gun from buying one or selling one?

No.

Again, no one who is legally eligible would be prevented from purchasing or selling a firearm.

Would it be more of a hassle to do so?

Slightly, for some people, in that the exchange has to go through a firearms dealer.

Is that worth it?

In 2018, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System redflagged 1.2% of the 8.2 million transactions it processed.

That’s over 98,000 instances where sales that shouldn’t have happened were prevented.