Who Wouldn’t Report a Stolen Gun?

The Daily Times of Delaware County, Penn. pretty much sums up the story with the question from State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, who asks, “why wouldn’t one report a missing handgun?” The question is asked as the City of Chester is voting to join 45 other municipalities that have passed an ordinance or resolution that would require citizens to report lost or stolen firearms.

This seems like a way to put guns in the spotlight, and we question why any law-abiding gun owner wouldn’t report a stolen or lost gun? Clearly there is a motive here, and it is just one to slowly take away gun rights. The paper also offers an interesting quote from Chester Police Chief Floyd Lewis:

“You have on person who maybe has bought five or six guns. We can’t do it, but ATF can go to that person’s house and say, ‘Let us see your guns.’ Now, if they didn’t report it stolen, they may have some criminal charges brought against them.”

There you have it. Time and time it is questioned why would the gun lobby oppose legislation that makes it a crime not to report a stolen gun, but the answer is that by putting in this legislation it gives new powers for law enforcement to go to anyone they suspect of buying too many guns to ask to see said guns. So if you’re a collector you could expect a knock at the door.

On the surface the law sounds reasonable, but that quote offers reasons why this should be a law to oppose. As the question is asked at the beginning, why wouldn’t law-abiding citizens report a stolen gun? The answer is that they would, so legislation only makes it that much harder to be law-abiding. Who needs the hassle of knowing that you’ll have to have uninvited guests coming by to see your stuff at any point?

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