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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... Latest Releases
The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate. If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly. |
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| NOVEMBER 23, 1998 12:19 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Violence Policy Center Bill McGeveran 202-822-8200, ext. 105 |
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| Violence Policy Center Warns: One Week Until Brady Law Expires | ||||
| WASHINGTON - November 23 - The following was released today by the
Violence Policy Center: With only one week remaining before the current version of the Brady Law "sunsets," or expires, the Violence Policy Center has released an updated edition of its report, "Paper Tiger? Will the Brady Law Work After Instant Check?" Many of the existing rules for background checks and gun purchases will change on Nov. 30 and a complex new "Instant Check" system is set to come on-line. The report offers detailed insight on how the new Instant Check system will work by examining its mechanics and some of the controversies surrounding its arrival. One of the most significant changes is that gun buyers will now be subjected to background checks when purchasing a shotgun or a rifle. The current version of the Brady Law covers only handgun purchases. VPC Director of Federal Policy Kristen Rand notes,"Christmastime has always been one of the highest volume seasons for shotgun and rifle sales. When Instant Check takes effect four weeks before the holiday, both dealers and buyers may be in for some surprises." The new system will also require gun dealers to screen potential gun purchasers through a computerized national database that will supposedly deliver "instant" information concerning their eligibility for gun ownership. Presently, the Brady Law relies on local law enforcement departments to conduct a background check within five days. One of the VPC's primary concerns about the new system is the availability of individual state's records on the national computerized database. Because some states have many uncomputerized records, the information offered in the database is piecemeal at best. Tom Diaz, VPC senior policy analyst, warns, "Right now, with the state of record-keeping, I'm afraid that instant check' is a contradiction in terms. It can be instant, or it can be a check, but it can't be both until these databases are improved." ------ Journalists who wish to obtain a full copy of "Paper Tiger? Will the Brady Law Work After Instant Check?" can call Bill McGeveran at202-822-8200, ext. 105, or Carolyn Puglia at 202-822-8200, ext. 106, or view it on the web site at www.vpc.org. ------ The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational organization working to reduce firearm-related death and injury in America. -0- |
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