In Oregon, there is a bit of a legal rush going on to clarify some new state gun laws that potentially classify powder-actuated nail guns as a firearm. Being classified as a firearm, as the law is written, would thus require a criminal background check to purchase these tools. While this clearly wasn’t intended by lawmakers on either side of the proverbial aisle, it’s a “whoops” that all parties involved recognize needs to be fixed. According to an article in The Oregonian, current Oregon law–written into law last month–defines a firearm as a device that “by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of powder.” That vague description is problematic for obvious reasons. While most nail guns used compressed air, some use electric power, some use gas and others deesigned for fastening to steel and concrete use a powder charge. Legislators are currently working to amend the original bill. Thus far, the amendment (House Bill 3093) has passed the House with only a single vote against it.
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They might have watched a bit to much The Wire.
How much things of changed! While this application of gun laws is so absurd as to be laughable, in a twisted way it might be a good thing. Let me explain ....
Remember when tradesmen were seen as skilled professionals and upstanding citizens? Yet, today, too many see "the trades" as a dumping ground for those 'not good enough' for college, the social and behavioral misfits, the released criminals, and the illegal aliens.
As a person with a clean record, agile mind, and one who has invested plenty of time and effort in learning my trade, I resent this fashionable assumption that I am little more than a convicted, slightly retarded chimpanzee with a tool belt.
Now... imagine a site where EVERYONE had to pass a NICS records check. Might be fewer 'temps' and questionable folks around. Might be less advantage for the corner-cutting, low-paying, no-benefit contractor.
There might also be some reconsideration of those counter-productive "gun free zone" policies - policies that seem only to provide nutcases with easy access to helpless victims. If I can't shoot anchors, the job can't be done... so you might want to think about this some more!
Mind you, there is a certain injustice in asking the guy who works at the bottom of the food chain to pass a far stricter ID / qualifications check than, say, our current President. Or, for that matter, the contractor himself. Contractors' Boards have discovered that they have issued plenty of licenses to folks who lack the documentation necessary to work for anyone- even themselves. Nor is there ant requirements for those performing the records checks- for all we know, the clerk on the other end of the phone might be named Carlos Manson, sitting in a prison call center.
Go figure.