Cop Slams Republican Senator on Gun Background Checks

Sen. Lindsay Graham claimed current laws are fine, police just aren't enforcing them

At hearing on gun violence, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was interrupted by a police chief who told Graham he's "wrong" on the way advanced background checks might work.

Graham argued that enhanced checks are pointless because current laws would be adequate if they were enforced properly. He implied that police currently don't enforce the law.

Graham suggested the current problem is that police don't prosecute people who fail background checks. Police Chief Edward A. Flynn interrupted to say that's nonsense, because the background check stops those who fail from buying guns illegally. Flynn added that he's not going to do "paperwork prosecutions."

We have priorities, we make gun cases. We make 2,000 gun cases a year, senator. That's our priority. We're not in a paper chase. We're trying to prevent the wrong people from buying guns, that's why we do background checks. If you think I'm gonna do a paper chase, then you think I'm gonna misuse my resources.

Flynn's comments sparked applause from the Senate hearing's audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9abcAGfOvI

Via Youtube.

Do we need stronger background checks, or do police just need to enforce current laws better?

[jessejaymes]

We need SERIOUS checks and a waiting period until that SERIOUS check is complete. Way more people are getting guns than should have them. And I have guns. I will ALWAYS qualify to have a gun regardless of circumstance because if you do not have a record then you are qualified to have a gun despite what someone claims the AFT thinks. The AFT are not God. Clean record yes to guns. Mental history, and record of violence NO.

[BossTweed]

Totally agree with you. But, watching the left trot out the haters every time they want to showcase their superiority is a bit much. Manipulate and Control the media. Same old same old.

[jessejaymes]

@BossTweed I don't like the far left any better than the far right. It's all the same. Wanna be dictators all.

[BossTweed]

@jessejaymes I hear ya!

[martydotcom]

@BossTweed what goes around comes around Lady Graham dished it out to Hagel this police chief gave him a does of his own medicine

[Arumizy]

So what you are saying Jesse, is if you served our country thanks for protecting my rights but if you have PTSD don't you dare try to use them. And i have to disagree on most of the mental history, unless its something serious like psychotic schisofrenia( Misspelled i know). I mean where do you draw the line at mental history, also at record of violence. Does the guy who got in a bar fight deserve his rights stripped like that? ETC.

[DARSB]

The evidence indicates the current system misses about half of gun purchases. Bringing that up to as close to 100% as it can get will require some new law - federal law.

[Jack-Black]

source?

[DARSB]

@Jack-Black http://goo.gl/XPfXG

[AntiPorcheria]

Answer is easy. Double the law enforcement. That shouldn't cost much.

[frigginhell]

Pay cash at a gun store, they won't even bother with a check. This is not my opinion. This is my own personal experience within the last three months. This is a fact. The point Graham is clearly eluding is that their are no prosecutions from these checks because when the check failed they were unable to legally purchase that weapon from that seller. So if those failed checks prevented unqualified people from purchasing those weapons then in some small way they did work. That's what they're designed to do. That's all the teeth these things have. There is no follow up for criminal prosecution should you fail a background check. Graham is being misleading with his questions. He knows this already. In fact, he's pretty much a {expletive} faced liar.

[DARSB]

@AntiPorcheria 12,000 cops were laid off last year over budget cuts and 30,000 vacancies remain open for the same reason. "Shouldn't cost much" is a little bit naive, and doesn't address the holes in the current check system. http://goo.gl/7yxOE

[marine1]

Lets look at the chicago gun law enforcement history. How many gun cases not prosecuted V those that were?

[mtkopf]

The problem is not how many cases in Chicago that are or are not prosecuted. The problem is the penalty. The MAX penalty for possession is 6 months, according to Police Chief Gary McCarthy. Mostly they get probation 3-4 times for gun possession.

[marine1]

@mtkopf First off I don't believe McCarthy. A felon with a gun gets a lot more than 6,months also, the use of a weapon in the commission of a crime is an aggravated offense which adds 5 years. That said, if the sentence is too lite,ie 3 to 6 months,there in lies a problem that can readily be fixed. When we put more restrictions on the law abiding that we do on the criminal, what message does that send. Common sense will help solve this situation,todate I have seen no common sense applied.

[Food4thoughts]

@marine1
In regards to Illinois...there's no where to put them... Prisons are overflowing and dwindling in numbers every year..

[marine1]

@Food4thoughts It may be time to see where the money is really going in Mafianois

[mtkopf]

@marine1 well, its real convenient for you to say "I don't believe McCarthy," especially when you live 3 hrs away from Chicago(it might as well be 3000 miles away).

[Malitia_Man]

Bought an Arsenal AK-47 the other day... Passed an TBI background check like everyone has to!!! What's the big deal?!?

[mtkopf]

Exactly. Its like getting carded to buy alcohol, if you are legal, then it should not be a problem.

[Malitia_Man]

What I would like to add is that I do not support a national registry!!!

[NTBFW]

@Malitia_Man then we shouldn't get the background checks. I don't mind the check but we cannot have registry

[Concerned_Cit]

@Malitia_Man The new Executive orders mandate a registry of firearm transactions. If the universal background check laws get passed (which is code for registration) then all firearms will be registered and tracked. This will lead to confiscation. History has proven this time and again, even here in the US in California and other states.

[NormalFlora]

@Malitia_Man Why not a national registry? Data reveals that only 1% of gun dealers are responsible for providing guns used in 90% of crimes. Current law prevents law enforcement from knowing who those dealers are. Aren't you anti-crime?

[scotta]

If the person doesn't pass the background check does not keep that person from buying a weapon iilegaly.

[justapirate]

So, uh, where is all this song and dance going to make a difference? Really. Where?

[Litdes]

Bend over Senator.

[Food4thoughts]

If you don't pass a background check you can't buy the gun...prosecuting someone for attempting to buy guns is after the fact...the issue at hand with background checks is that it stops the sale in the first place...Graham is so full of shit I'm surprised he can keep a straight face.

[mwr]

enforce the laws we have before making more. the only people punished iwht these propoesed changes are lawful citzens. Gang bangers and criminals dont buy guns lawfully and will not be hindered by these new laws..

[Food4thoughts]

How is passing a background check a punishment?

[mwr]

@Food4thoughts because only honest, lawful peole have to do it.

[stepped_in_it]

@mwr HMMM......isn't that true for all laws? Because the unlawful do it, I wanna do it too! Sounds childish when put that way, doesn't it?

[Food4thoughts]

@mwr it's only a punishment if you fail the background check, in which you aren't lawfully allowed to possess a firearm...stop repeating what you hear and use commonsense...

[mwr]

@Food4thoughts you are repeating exactly what the socialist in the white house wants you to say so why should i be limited to what opinion i can state? increasing the restrictions on gun ownership is punishment of lawful citizens, that is my opinion you will not and can not change my point of view. All this gun control is nothing more than political grand standing shamefully taking advantage of a tragic event for personal gain. BHO's home town (chicago) is one of the most restrictive gun ownership locations in the U.S. and is the number one city in the nation for gun deaths. So to quote a great point of view.... stop repeating what you hear and use commonsense ......:)

[Sonny]

One of the very first things you hear from those on the right when ever anyone proposes new gun control legislation is..." we already have plenty of laws on the books, they just aren't being enforced"...But try this sometime, when one says that to you...."Ok,----then please tell me just what exactly those laws are"..?------And then wait for the SILENCE....LOL---Because that's exactly what you will get when ever you ask that particular question...

[wonka45ACP]

It is unlawful for the following persons to knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm:•Fugitives.•Person s indicted for or convicted of a violent felony or adjudicated delinquent child for the commission of an offense that if committed by an adult, would have been a violent felony.•Persons indicted for or convicted of a drug offense, or adjudicated a delinquent child for the commission of an offense that, if committed by an adult, would have been an offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse.
•Alcoholics and drug-dependent persons.
•Adjudicated mental incompetents.

[Sonny]

@wonka45ACP So you're suggesting that this is one of the laws that is "not now being enforced"? I doubt that you are correct.

[wonka45ACP]

@Sonny Ok these may or may not be enforced, the problem also lies in lack of severity in punishment, But let me put it into reality for most people, weapons have
existed since the begining of man, and man can be evil, the only thing that will stop evil is death, if you suppress Good in any way, then evil wins!

[Sonny]

@wonka45ACP Well its you privilege to do so---But I am NOT talking about anything relating to any concepts of "good or evil"...I am talking about taking some practical measures to limit the number of gun-related killings in this country...I will leave the "good & evil" concepts to you, the church, and whom ever else want to so indulge...

[wonka45ACP]

@Sonny No disrespect intended on any of this.

[nomocrap]

As a police officer I am ashamed to wear the same badge as the Chief of Police referenced in this article. To say you won't prosecute people for attempting to buy a gun when they are not legally allowed to own a gun is the same as saying you won't prosecute for attempted murder because the criminal failed to complete the act. Or you won't prosecute the meth cook because his cook exploded and he didn't get to produce any meth to sell. If we would all prosecute for the attempt to buy or possess a firearm illegally the criminals would get the message. In my state if you fail a background check the retailer is asked to delay the purchaser so the police can get there before they leave. The attempted illegal purchaser is then handcuffed on the spot and charged. We have very few of these attempts in my area.

[wonka45ACP]

As a police officer you know the NCIC rejects for various reasons, and not all degrees of felonies are harden criminals, that are prohibited from possession.

[wonka45ACP]

I think what the chief is referring to is the check forgery case that caused the NCIC to reject that person doesn' need the attention of his officers.

[MadAmerican]

Cops do their jobs most of the time but the prosecutors are the ones who are the blame doing plea deals left and right, or not prosecuting at all.

[Knightkore]

There you go.....this is the real problem.....

[VVP]

The cop is right. Is it illegal to TRY to buy a gun and fail?

The solution is simple, make people accountable for their guns. Its literally as simple as that.

[tomincali]

i don't see the point or back ground checks,just more hoops. like waiting periods just un needed problems caused by out of control gov trying to nose into others business.

[Sam_Lowry]

Only the irrational gun-grabber applauds a high-ranking Police bureaucrat who refuses to do his job. If Wayne LaPierre, or any other official of a gun rights group had behaved this way towards a US Senator, the media and gun-grabbers would have PILLORIED him. The citizens of wherever this brown-nosing lackey is from should go to court and obtain a Writ of Mandamus and force the jackass to do his job.

[Medicinebow]

So the police chief won't prosecute attempted illegal purchases. And more laws are the answer? Unreal.

[Vance1]

Yep!!! Thats what they want...Even Mrs Obama is in the mix now, saying that a child got shot by some good kids with an automatic pistol....wow Get a load of that BS ...Wright out of the White House.

[harold_lloyd]

Lindsey Graham is a blustering bully, who picked on the wrong 'soft target'.

I do wish he would join McCain in a comfortable retirement.

[Denizen_Kate]

I agree with the retirement bit, but I think I'd prefer they both be uncomfortable for at least a few years.

[harold_lloyd]

@Denizen_Kate

I remember when they both seemed to be reasonable men.

[Denizen_Kate]

@harold_lloyd - I remember, too. I miss the old conservatives. At least they applied thought and logic to issues, even if I disagreed much of the time.

[Jim49418]

We already have background checks, And a three day waiting period.
What good are more restrictions going to do? How many gun related crimes are commited with guns that were purchased legally by the person using that gun?
Just look at what happened at Sandy Hook. Adam Lanza used the guns, but he didnt purchase them. So, would stricter guns laws have made a difference? Look at the City of Chicago, where it is illegal to to sell guns, yet they have the highest gun related crime rate in the country. The point is, that people that use gun's while commiting a crime, probably did not purchase the gun legally.

[Cheenoguy]

Do you know why it is so easy to get a gun in Chicago? Because they can drive an hour to Indiana where we allow gun show sales without a background check.

[stepped_in_it]

HMM.....3 day wait? Just bought a semi-auto pistol on-line. Shipped to a FFL dealer who I've never purchased from/ dealt with before. When gun arrived, I went in, filled out minimum paper work, paid fees (FFL fees) and 15 minutes later took my gun home! I've never been convicted/accused of any crime (no tickets since '86/accidents since '72). But 15 minutes....

[SomethinsFishy]

Why stop at bringing Chief Edward A. Flynn, who is the chief cover-up artist and apologist for the brutal cops at Milwaukee P.D.? Why don't the gun-grabbers also bring Chief Joe Polisar, of Garden Grove PD, California? He framed an African-American man in the 1980s for the murder of an Albuquerque Police Officer with the help of Officer Maruffi, Kramer, and Chief Eloy "Whitey" Hansen (that was his chosen nickname, really!). These Police Chiefs that the gun-grabbers are pushing forward have got a lot be be ashamed of. They are not models of integrity.

[zachsquatch]

We already have to pass a background check. Hell, I had to pass one to get a knife not long ago. So, it's already in effect. The only difference and it's a BIG difference is that the laws they're proposing all deal with centralized checking and all checks are recorded and kept so the government will have free reign on your information. I don't mind the government knowing what guns I have purchased from a FFL, as long as they have a warrant for that information and I know of no FFL that will give that information without just cause and warrant...so again, hows the end effect any different? I agree, there are people that are not fit for gun ownership and that's fine and dandy, but I don't to find out how my information can be used in the future when some gun control nut starts proposing more laws. It's not good for anything. It doesn't matter how many laws are proposed, people will still commit crimes with guns they didn't legally own because they either had a felony or were in possession of a stolen arm. The guns Adam Lanza used were not lawfully his, he stole them for that purpose. I wish I could spit logic into the faces of these morons, but it just doesn't work and like Ron White says, you can't fix stupid.