opinion

Debbie Smith: Nevada needs expanded gun checks

Every day in America 86 people are killed with guns. Gun violence can happen anytime, anywhere: schools, parks, offices — even in our homes.

Inaction is no longer an option. In Nevada, we can help reduce gun violence with the Background Check Initiative, which would help keep guns out of dangerous hands while still respecting the Second Amendment. This sensible measure is supported by 86% of Nevadans and likely to appear on ballots in 2016.

It's an important decision for Nevadans, and it's critical that voters have an opportunity to review the facts themselves.

Currently in Nevada, people buying guns at licensed dealers must pass a quick background check. These checks prevent legally prohibited individuals like convicted felons, domestic abusers and people with dangerous mental illnesses from obtaining guns. Since 1998, background checks have blocked more than 15,000 gun sales to prohibited purchasers in Nevada, according to an analysis of FBI data by Everytown for Gun Safety. In 2013 alone, checks prevented 501 gun sales to felons and 374 sales to Nevadans convicted of domestic violence crimes or under protection orders.

However, prohibited individuals can still go to a gun show, online or meet strangers in parking lots to buy guns without undergoing a check. The proposed Background Check Initiative would close this loophole — helping prevent dangerous people from getting guns by using the same quick, effective checks Nevada licensed dealers already employ.

Background checks are the most effective tool to help reduce crime and save lives. In states with checks on all handgun sales, 38% fewer women are killed by abusive partners and 39% fewer law enforcement are murdered with guns while in the line of duty.

Recently Washington State voters overwhelmingly passed a measure to close this loophole. They understood that background checks don't negatively impact law-abiding gun owners; they just prevent dangerous people like Aaron Newport — a Washington State convicted felon and domestic abuser — from obtaining guns. Newport had tried to buy a gun at a dealer but was immediately denied when he failed a background check. Sadly, with a few clicks online, he arranged to get a .40 Springfield XD pistol from a private seller, broke into the home of his former girlfriend Monique Williams and shot her in the head.

Now, thanks to the background check law, people like Newport will have a tougher time getting firearms. In fact, 48 hours after Washington's law went into effect, a wanted felon tried to buy a shotgun through a private sale at a Spokane gun show — and was blocked.

Last June's Las Vegas shooting that left three people dead — including two on-duty police officers — is still fresh in our minds. One of the shooters, Jerad Miller, used Facebook to buy a rifle despite having numerous felony convictions. Closing the background check loophole would help keep felons like Miller from getting guns.

No single measure can prevent all gun violence, but the Background Check Initiative represents a strong first step. As a mother and elected official, I want to keep our communities safe. Background checks help do just that.

Debbie Smith is a gun owner and Nevada state senator from District 13. She lives in Sparks.