Another attempt at forcing a “universal” (for everyone except criminals) background check bill upon the citizenry has failed, this time in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.  Legislators in the “Live Free or Die” state refused to compromise on liberty:

A closely divided House debated the issue for two hours — at one point voting to study the matter rather than impose the background checks — but later voted 242-118 to kill the bill after supporters tried to postpone final action in a bid to either salvage the checks or change the study’s focus.

The bill would have required most private sellers would to conduct background checks through federally licensed dealers, using a system already in place for dealer sales.

Breaking the law would have been a misdemeanor charge. An exception would have been made for noncommercial private sales between individuals not prohibited by federal law from buying a gun.

Supporters argued it would protect citizens, but opponents said it infringed on gun rights.

Rep. Richard Meaney, R-Goffstown, said the bill would erode New Hampshire gun owners’ Second Amendment rights slowly, likening it to death by a thousand cuts.

“This is attempting to remove a legal and affordable means of obtaining firearms,” he said.