On Monday, police chiefs from all across the United States demanded that immediate and conclusive background checks be done on anyone buying a firearm in America. The International Association of Police Chiefs made the statement at their annual meeting in Chicago. The police chiefs are of the opinion that the rise in violent crime is primarily do to the availability of guns.

The police chiefs backed up a little, according to Reuters, by going on to say that they are not against guns. They just want guns to be unavailable to people with criminal histories. Guns are, for the most part, easily and readily available everywhere even for people with criminal backgrounds. Congress has been reluctant to pass any further legislation putting restrictions on the owning of firearms. The gun lobby, as well as regular Second Amendment challenges, has kept many in Congress, particularly those on the left, from further legislation.

The police chiefs are concerned that only about 40 percent of all gun purchases end with background checks. Private sales and those firearms bought at gun shows don’t require background checks. To say nothing of firearms purchased in other ways by other means. The police chief of Chicago said that background checks everywhere is a “no brainer.”

All of law enforcement in the country has seemingly lined up with the chiefs. The chiefs demand that background checks be done even at gun shows and for private sales. They also want a better system of communication whereby law enforcement agencies are better able to share information. The chiefs demand both criminal and “mental health” background checks.

Every time there is another shooting in the country, renewed calls go out to strip the American citizenry of their right to be armed. The National Rifle Association has always stood firm against background checks. They declare it to be an infringement on the Second Amendment. There is no requirement in the Second Amendment that says someone needs someone else’s permission to secure a firearm.