The infamous "unregistered gun" again

[PAhunter]

Here is the source:
http://www.kyw1060.com/Parolee-Held-On-$1-Million-Bail-in-Random-Hatboro-/1546489

"A Hatboro, Pa. man with an extensive criminal background is behind bars on $1 million bail, accused of trying to kill a woman he didn’t know and now authorities are trying to figure out how he got his hands on a gun.

Court records show 30-year-old Gary Zweitzig was out on parole when police say he took two shots at the 34-year-old woman with a semi-automatic pistol as she was walking home on York Road in Hatboro.

Records show Zweitzig has an extensive record, including felony and drug convictions. Prosecutor Kevin Steele says they’re looking into whether they can prosecute the gun charge at the federal level:

“Guidelines for a state offense and federal offenses are somewhat different, a federal case may carry with it stiffer penalties.”

Police say witnesses identified Zweitzig as the man who fired the gun. He did not have a permit to carry the firearm and the gun was unregistered. Police recovered two shell casings and a bullet that they say penetrated two signs. The woman was not hit."


Another reference to an "unregistered gun" by the media. Are the police giving out that information? Maybe they said the gun came back stolen. The media then translates that to "unregistered". Regardless, it just keeps "registration" fresh in the minds of the general public.

Also is this now a new approach, "..prosecute the gun charge at the Federal level".

Jack

[Sebastian]

Except we do have a registry in this state that's being maintained by the PA state police, despite laws that should have prevented this. See, the State Police argued it wasn't a registry, but a record of sales database. The Supreme Court said they agreed it wasn't a registry, even though my understanding is they can find out every pistol you've bought using this thing.

[KeithPA]

Originally Posted by Sebastian

Except we do have a registry in this state that's being maintained by the PA state police, despite laws that should have prevented this. See, the State Police argued it wasn't a registry, but a record of sales database. The Supreme Court said they agreed it wasn't a registry, even though my understanding is they can find out every pistol you've bought using this thing.

I just saw on another forum that Lil Wayne? (I dunno some rapper). Got arrested for drug charges or soemthing. And they found a gun on him and stated that it was registered to his name in Florida. Oh wait, florida doesn't have a registry. Only what 5 states do.

[Sebastian]

I think the press mistakes trace data with registration. Given a firearm, you can find out from an ATF trace request who the FFL sold the gun to. What you can't do with a trace is give a name, and come up with all the guns "registered" to that person.

[TravisBickle]

Originally Posted by Sebastian

I think the press mistakes trace data with registration. Given a firearm, you can find out from an ATF trace request who the FFL sold the gun to. What you can't do with a trace is give a name, and come up with all the guns "registered" to that person.

That's how it's supposed to work, but when my apartment was burglarized and my guns stolen, the detective was able to compile a list of all the guns I owned (and used to own) with a simple phone call. Five minutes later he had a fax. Serial numbers and everything. This was in 2001.

[Sebastian]

Originally Posted by MorganB

That's how it's supposed to work, but when my apartment was burglarized and my guns stolen, the detective was able to compile a list of all the guns I owned (and used to own) with a simple phone call. Five minutes later he had a fax. Serial numbers and everything. This was in 2001.

Yeah... the state police started compiling a back door registration system using the record of sales that dealers have to send in. The Supreme Court has OK'd this scam, even though it's an actual registry. We need a legislative solution for this.

[TaePo]

The real question is what statute or law was violated in regards to an unregistered gun. We should ask the law enforcement dept. and the reporter for clarification. Cannot charge unless there is a specific law.

I am against what the State Police are doing but they cannot charge anyone for not being in their database.

I think they must mean they are unable to trace the purchaser as well to investigate if stolen or loaned or straw purchased etc. They need corrected.

[PocketProtector]

The real question is: Why was this scum on the street to commit another crime ?? It's criminal that this happens and it's about time to hold the Justice system responsible.

[rwilson452]

There is also a federal law against felons in possession of a firearm. By getting the feds to go after him the money to prosecute comes from federal dollars not the local DA's funds.

[ericjones80]

Originally Posted by PocketProtector

The real question is: Why was this scum on the street to commit another crime ?? It's criminal that this happens and it's about time to hold the Justice system responsible.

People like this should either stay in prison or be eradicated. It makes me sick that he got his hands on a gun.