I know I've been a bad, bad blogger, but an article in The Economist (sub. required) really sent me over the edge.
Up in arms: Why tighten the rules right in hunting season?
Let me summarize... gun control opponents in PA are horrified to discover that the database used for instant background checks for gun purchases will be down for 4 days over labor day weekend for an upgrade.
because research showed that September gun sales were slowest during the first week of the month, which also marks the beginning of hunting season. But sportsmen's groups, gun dealers and some state legislators have hit the roof. Labour Day weekend is a peak shopping moment for camouflage gear and boots, if not for guns; next week's planned promotions and sales will be difficult to postpone, and business will presumably just flow away to neighbouring states. Joseph Scarnati, the president of the state Senate, has condemned the shutdown as back-door gun control by “liberals from Philadelphia”.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Know what else this database is used for?
background checks on teachers and child-care workers before the start of the school year. The system is also used by state courts, law-enforcement agencies, the immigration service and the Megan's Law registry that keeps track of sex offenders.
So... horrifying and unacceptable that people may have to wait a couple of days to buy a gun, but background checks for people who work with children, courts inquiries and tracking sex offenders.. no biggie, as long as we can buy our guns!
How important is this to gun people?
Two dozen gun-dealers have filed suit, and are hoping the Commonwealth Court will grant a last-minute injunction to postpone the upgrade. A hearing is scheduled for August 31st. The gun-dealers say the system can be upgraded without taking it offline completely. Or, they suggest, how about doing the work at night?
Because no one knows software like a gun dealer.
