Gun Background Checks Fall Short, Debate Resumes

W A S H I N G T O N, April 19 -- After an election cycle in which the two major-party presidential candidates took pains to avoid the subject of guns, a new interest group and two of the Senate's highest-profile members are not only seeking to revive political debate over the issue but turn the spotlight onto one relatively narrow aspect of it.

As the anniversary of the Columbine school shooting dawns, a study conducted by Americans for Gun Safety shows that Coloradans failed to achieve a bulletproof solution when they passed a ballot measure last fall requiring background checks at gun shows within their state. The study argues Colorado remains vulnerable to crimes committed with guns bought at gun shows — just at gun shows in other states which do not require background checks.

Eighteen states have passed laws requiring all private sellers to perform background checks, or at least require gun licenses, at all gun shows. But according to the report, these 18 states nevertheless become infiltrated with guns bought at shows in the 32 other states that have not passed such laws.

New Limits Possible

Not coincidentally, the study sets the stage for an anticipated Senate "compromise" proposal seeking to make background checks at all gun shows a matter of federal law. The plan would impose a waiting period of three business days, just like the Brady law — but only for three years, after which states can qualify to shorten the waiting period to 24 hours.

The proposal is expected to be rolled out within the next few weeks by Republican John McCain and Democrat Joseph Lieberman.

As Washington knows by now, behind every "third way" are a couple of centrist lawmakers, a wealthy businessman, and a lot of political ambition.

Started last July by billionaire Monster.com founder Andrew J. McKelvey, Americans for Gun Safety bills itself as "centrist" and "non-partisan" — centrist, in that they claim not to oppose an individual's right to own a gun, but "urge shared responsibility for the safe use, storage and distribution of guns by all parties," according to their Web site.