Do you view background checks for firearms as gun control? Do you see them as needed or as too much control?

I would like to believe that too but it has been used in the past to identify the legal gun owners such as in New Orleans during the aftermath of Katrina.

i own 2 guns myself prior to back ground checks, i hunt, i worked at a gun shop and can tell you if your paper work isnt correct the atf will close you down, in a heart beat. i too believe in these checks, but once its over shred

BC's are only for legal purchasers. Never did a bad guy ever say "I'm gonna buy my gun legally". Open carry should be the law. Concealed weapon licenses, high speed low drag holsters have very little deterrence. Ever notice in a store some one who open carries? Why is that we notice and take a second gander? Why do we instantly (if we are a prudent man) look closer, notice the man or worm more carefully? Had we not seen the weapon that individual may just be another knob in a store. I open carry mine everywhere I go and most of the time I'm granted a wide berth. I can live with that. It opens my reaction time if needed. Just my opinion. One more note, worrying about who knows you have a weapon should be of very little concern since your DL, credit report, and even marriage licenses hold more Intel and are publicly available....incognito is a dream of the past in today's technological world...add cell phone and you now have the recipe for lack of privacy....bad guys love this....

Background checks, okay. Qualifications? That sounds like voting tests and poll taxes that were used merely to keep people from voting. Qualification tests for gun owners could serve the same purpose. I feel that the responsibility that attaches to every liberty is sufficient to dissuade people from harming others. If not, they're responsible for any harm or damage caused. That's enough for me.

CPT Jack Durish - That has always been my argument, sir. I am fine with "null checks" (verification that someone is not a felon), however I believe that we should be able to GIFT a weapon, or LOAN a weapon to a KNOWN person (like friends or family). Why shouldn't I be able to give a weapon to my son/wife/brother if I KNOW they are not a felon.

When we get into Qualifications... "Poll Tax" and "Reading Tests" are where my mind starts to go, As you say.

CW3 (Join to see) - Sir, Libel and Slander most definitely do have the ability to directly harm others to the point where their life is endangered. And they can do it from A LOT farther away. The Press can ruin someone's life forever.

When you require a licence or permit to exercise a "Right", you change its essence. It has become a privilege; a gift from government requiring is to qualify. The last time I checked, our "Rights" are ours, from our creator and guaranteed, because we are Americans.