A government investigation designed to determine “whether private sellers would knowingly sell a firearm to an individual prohibited from possessing one” has anti-gun advocates disappointed, as online sellers passed their test with perfect scores.
The investigation was commissioned by anti-gun members of Congress Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the report entitled “Internet Firearm Sales: ATF Enforcement Efforts and Outcomes of GAO Covert Testing” has recently been released – and with some interesting results.
The investigation that was commissioned in an effort to determine to the amount of illegal gun sales online, revealed unexpected results that has anti-gun advocates speechless. During the investigation, 72 attempts were made over a 2½ year time period by undercover agents who tried to buy guns via online websites. The results determined that the agents failed to complete the sale 100% of the time when the online seller was given reason to think the buyer lived in a different state or was prohibited to legally own a gun.
Legislators are upset by the overwhelming results, as they were expecting to see the same results as three previous GAO studies conducted by anti-gun advocate Michael Bloomberg in 2011, where the investigation showed that 62% of online sellers proceeded with the sale even when they thought there might be prohibited from doing so. Using a combination of results from this investigation as well as two additional studies, Bloomberg’s team claimed that hundreds-of-thousands of criminals were purchasing firearms online each year and they “proved” the need for more gun control. This is what prompted the federal “universal background check” law.
The GAO’s report reinforced the NRA’s stance that online sales are not “unregulated,” and are subject to the same federal laws as private and commercial gun sales. The findings showed private gun sellers that advertise their firearms online are aware of current gun laws, and are making responsible, conscientious decisions when selling. In fact, 78% outright refused to complete a transaction once the undercover agents revealed either that the shipping address was in another state, or that the “buyer” was prohibited from owning firearms.
There were also five incidents where the online seller “froze” the account of any person who attempted to make a purchase as soon as they were aware that the “buyer” had a prohibited status.
The Government Accountability Office’s report actually proved that 100% of the online sellers refused to deliver a firearm to any person that lived in a different state or whom they thought to be prohibited from legally owning a firearm. In addition, the report also indicated that legitimate sellers were more than willing to cooperate and work with law enforcement to identify and prosecute criminals buying or selling firearms online.
Ironically, the GAO’s report varies dramatically from Bloomberg’s reports which claim that most online private sellers completely ignore the gun laws and are more than willing to sell to prohibited buyers. This non-biased report proved that online sellers understand the rules and follow them. They are not willing to compromise and do not break the law.
~ Firearm Daily
