We need deeper gun background checks

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s focus on age requirement to purchase a firearm misses the more critical issue. Stopping unfit people from buying guns is doable. The process will take longer for a person to buy a firearm, but it will in most cases eliminate the unstable applicant.

The current process leaves a fatal void in the collection and processing of information about the applicant. A person currently visits a gun store

and fills out an ATF form. The form is sent to a central data base for a records review. There is no unofficial review of the person’s reputation, character, and stability emanating from his immediate locale. No friends, neighbors, employers, and other relevant people are consulted regarding their overall soundness to own a firearm. Does anyone believe that a canvass of the Texas shooter’s profile would have pasted muster?

In the past, after-thefact investigations of the shooter inevitably revealed that the person was known to be unstable among friends, relatives, and others. This is the fatal void that still remains. The solution is to first have all investigations performed at the local police jurisdiction. They would focus only on character and mental stability to own a firearm. Only after that is done can they proceed with the existing steps in place. They would then be granted a clearance to proceed with the formal purchase steps.

There is much demand for expanded background checks. This would certainly be a most relevant and vital expansion. It can save lives.

Phil Serpico

New York City