Senator Akshar Asks for Input on Social Media History Gun Checks

New York State Senator Fred Akshar is asking his constituents to let him know how they feel about the idea of officials checking social media background for “red flags” before granting gun licenses.

The Binghamton Republican has an online survey set up to gather information on a proposed social media gun check as proposed by a Brooklyn Democrat.  The measure still is not scheduled for a vote in the state legislature.

A bill proposed by New York State Senator Kevin Parker would add recent media postings and a year of search histories to a background check into criminal activity and mental health issues when an application is submitted for a handgun license.

Parker says delving into online use might turn up racial slurs, threats of violence, links to terrorism or other red flags causing "good cause for the denial of a license."

Supporters say many recent shootings were preceded by disturbing posts online while others say many of those involved in gun violence do not possess weapons legally.

There are also concerns being voiced about the cost of implementation, privacy issues and just what other situations the precedent might be expanded to should the gun control aspect of social media searches gain approval.

(Senator Akshar’s survey can be found at www.nysenate.gov/questnionnaires/fred-akshar/poll-do-you-support-social-media-and-search-history-background-checks.)