Boy, was I wrong.

Congress is now looking at a bill that, as I read it, effectively says Seattle cops can't check with, say, police in Los Angeles about whether a gun used to kill someone here was illegally sold by someone down there.

A better example might be that if this measure had been on the books back in 2002, authorities in Maryland would not have been able to trace the gun used by the D.C. sniper back to a gun store here in Washington State.

Now, I'm perplexed. Just who the hell is this bill supposed to protect?

Is it the criminal who illegally sells a gun, or is it the criminal who uses that gun in the commission of a crime?

Now, I recognize that I've been vilified by some for having said "blasphemous" things about the NRA, but I'm wondering why the great and powerful gun lobby isn't throwing its weight around on this one.

You know, maybe saying like this bill isn't a very good idea and shouldn't be passed.

Then again, maybe the NRA simply believes it's actually in the best interest of preserving the 2nd Amendment to prevent cops from tracing illegal gun sales.

Just color me curious.

Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com

And be sure to catch Ken Schram and John Carlson on their new radio show, "THE COMMENTATORS." Airing Monday through Friday, from 10 till noon on KOMO 1000, Ken and John will be delving into news of the day offering their own particular brand of insight and perspective - with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor thrown in for good measure.