by David Safier You gotta love this use of the term "liberal" in today's Republic article: Advertisement Arizona solidified its reputation last year as one of the most liberal gun states in the nation after the Legislature passed a law allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. Though the term "liberal" is accurate … Read more

by David Safier

Here is a transcript of a conversation between an undercover investigator buying a Sig Sauer pistol at the January 23 gun show in Phoenix and a seller:

Investigator: “So, you’re not one of those, you know, dealer guys, right?”

Seller: “No. No tax, no form, you don’t have to do transfers or nothing.”

Investigator: “Yeah, yeah.”

Seller: “Just see an Arizona ID and that’s it with me.”

Investigator: “So no background check?”

Seller: “No.”

Investigator: “That’s good, because I probably couldn’t pass one, you know what I mean?”

In two cases, investigators were able to buy guns after admitting they  couldn't pass the background check. That happens to be illegal. Though gun shows don't require background checks,

. . . it is a violation of federal law to sell guns to people if sellers suspect they are felons or mentally ill or are otherwise prohibited from buying.

Apparently the eyeball honor system doesn't work all that well.

NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is leading the charge for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, discussed the findings from the investigation of the Phoenix gun show at a news conference. You can read the entire press release after the jump.

You can also learn more at the Gunshow Undercover–Arizona website. Here is a video of one of the gun purchases by a buyer who says he would flunk a background check.

 

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: On Thursday, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission released its final report, a 576-page book that is supposed to explain the causes of, and assign blame for, the great financial crash of 2007-08. Not so much. The panel issued three reports, with two ideologically driven minority reports from Republican members who defended the free-market, … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The other day I suggested that a recall should be initiated against anyone who signed on as a cosponsor of the "birther" bill by Rep. Judy Burges (R-Skull Valley) beginning with the "birther queen" herself. (Flashback) New Rule: Mental Competency Exams for Politicians: The voters of this state should not have to suffer … Read more

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings As usual, all info gathered from the online sources (mostly the website of the Arizona Legislature) and subject to change without notice. Note: calling an agenda "quiet" doesn't mean that there aren't any bills on the agenda, only that there aren't any that twig the partisan radar.  If … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Despite Egyptian citizens having formed a human chain to protect the Cairo Museum and the Egyptian Army having been dispatched to protect it as well, Reuters confirms that looters managed to enter the museum and to have damaged antiquities. Looters smash treasures and mummies in Egyptian Museum: Looters broke into the Cairo … Read more