Tracking Felons With Firearms Can Be Difficult

School Board shooter Clay Duke bought his handgun 25 years before he took it to Tuesday’s School Board meeting and started firing.  And after committing three felonies in 1999, Duke was supposed to surrender any firearms, because it’s illegal for a felon to own one in Florida.  But he didn’t, and law enforcement officers said Thursday it’s nearly impossible to make sure every felon follows the law. 

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a database of gun owners.  To find the owner of a gun, officers usually go through manufacturers and retailers.  Police provide the serial number of the gun to its maker, and makers tell police where the gun was sold.  The retailers then go through their records for the information on the seller.

“Sometimes we can find them right quick, and sometimes it takes a little time,” said Ronnie Groom of C & G Sporting Goods.  Down in his store’s basement, Groom keeps sales records dating back to the 1960s in boxes. 

He said some checks can be more exciting than others.

“One time we called and we got a call back saying keep them there we’re sending the police.”

Before a gun is sold, each potential owner must go through a background check.  The checks are done by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, who goes through other Federal agencies. 

But they only work if the guns are bought legally, and Groom points out that many criminals aren’t very concerned with the law. 

“A person that can legally own a gun is not the problem,” Groom said.

“And if you take all the guns away from those people, who’s going to be left holding the guns? Those who don’t obey the law.”

Major Tommy Ford of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said it would be impossible to check on each felon to see if they’re carrying a weapon.  It’s a problem with sheer numbers.  Just this year, almost 2000 felons have registered with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.