Streamline gun background checks? #tellusatoday

Over the past six months, background checks for gun purchases have surged. The workload prompted the FBI to halt temporarily the processing of thousands of appeals. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

The backlog concerns appeals from would-be buyers whose attempts were denied. Should I feel bad that people who did not pass the background check are on hold? No. That’s good. Most Americans agree on background checks for all potential gun buyers.

— Ray Corr

There are soaring numbers of firearm sales and permits for concealed carry deadly weapons being issued. It really seems as if Americans want more gun control, huh? Every time Democrats mention anti-Second Amendment legislation, the American people go out and vote with their wallets to show they do not approve.

— Travis Decker

Why should I feel sorry for the overburdened FBI and its National Instant Criminal Background Check System? The bureau is becoming just another bloated federal agency created by an out-of-control government. It’s time to dump this whole background check nonsense because all it does is delay good citizens from purchasing guns. Criminals already get weapons readily.

— Rene Ramos

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The maximum three-day wait for the background check needs to be removed to ensure that every one is finished before the sale is complete no matter how long it takes.

Members of Congress, of course, could fund the resources necessary to ensure the wait doesn’t become excessive. Their choice.

— Kevin Cox

If you want to hire more resources, put them on the street disarming criminals. It’s stupid to put more people in an office going over applications from hunters to buy a deer rifle.

— Nancy Clair

Removing the maximum wait would open the door to problems. If the FBI doesn’t like you, it could sit on your case indefinitely and effectively strip you of your civil right to own weapons.

— Chris Call

We asked followers how they would improve the system of background checks for gun purchases. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

Start by linking all relevant databases together.

— @GarciaELJunior

Don’t worry about legally obtained guns. Focus on illegally obtained ones. When will Democrats learn criminals don’t obey laws?

— @joyabsalon

Abolish the checks. Just stop selling guns to everyone.

— @jccouso

First step is to recognize criminals will not buy guns at Walmart. Second, work to determine how criminals obtainguns.

— @PitWah0995

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.