Fisherman_48768
Member
First I get notification that the NRA was backing this:
Does this make anyone else nervous. I'm really starting to think both sides of the argument are milking us for all the $$ they can get and nothing more.
Then I get notification that Sara Brady is jumping with glee with it:Senate Passes NICS Improvement Act
After months of careful negotiation, pro-gun legislation was passed through Congress today. The National Rifle Association (NRA) worked closely with Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to address his concerns regarding H.R. 2640, the National Instant Check System (NICS) Improvement Act. These changes make a good bill even better. The end product is a win for American gun owners.
The NICS Improvement Act does the following:
Permanently prohibits the FBI from charging a "user fee" for NICS checks.
Requires all federal agencies that impose mental health adjudications or commitments to provide a process for "relief from disabilities." Extreme anti-gun groups like the Violence Policy Center and Coalition to Stop Gun Violence have expressed "strong concerns" over this aspect of the bill-surely a sign that it represents progress for gun ownership rights.
Prevents reporting of mental adjudications or commitments by federal agencies when those adjudications or commitments have been removed.
Requires removal of expired, incorrect or otherwise irrelevant records. Today, totally innocent people (e.g., individuals with arrest records, who were never convicted of the crime charged) are sometimes subject to delayed or denied firearm purchases because of incomplete records in the system.
Provides a process of error correction if a person is inappropriately committed or declared incompetent by a federal agency. The individual would have an opportunity to correct the error-either through the agency or in court.
Prevents use of federal "adjudications" that consist only of medical diagnoses without findings that the people involved are dangerous or mentally incompetent. This would ensure that purely medical records are never used in NICS. Gun ownership rights would only be lost as a result of a finding that the person is a danger to themselves or others, or lacks the capacity to manage his own affairs.
Improves the accuracy and completeness of NICS by requiring federal agencies and participating states to provide relevant records to the FBI. For instance, it would give states an incentive to report those who were adjudicated by a court to be "mentally defective," a danger to themselves, a danger to others or suicidal.
Requires a Government Accountability Office audit of past NICS improvement spending.
The bill includes significant changes from the version that previously passed the House, including:
Requires incorrect or outdated records to be purged from the system within 30 days after the Attorney General learns of the need for correction.
Requires agencies to create "relief from disabilities" programs within 120 days, to prevent bureaucratic foot-dragging.
Provides that if a person applies for relief from disabilities and the agency fails to act on the application within a year-for any reason, including lack of funds-the applicant can seek immediate review of his application in federal court.
Allows awards of attorney's fees to applicants who successfully challenge a federal agency's denial of relief in court.
Requires that federal agencies notify all people being subjected to a mental health "adjudication" or commitment process about the consequences to their firearm ownership rights, and the availability of future relief.
Earmarks 3-10% of federal implementation grants for use in operating state "relief from disabilities" programs.
Elimination of all references to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulations defining adjudications, commitments, or determinations related to Americans' mental health. Instead, the bill uses terms previously adopted by the Congress.
]www.bradycampaign.org[/url]VICTORY! U.S. CONGRESS STRENGTHENS BRADY BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM
Bill Now Moves to President's Desk: Please Call Today
Dear
Great news! Last night, Congress passed a bill that will strengthen the Brady background check system. It will help ensure that fewer guns end up in the hands of dangerous people like felons and those who have been found to be a threat to themselves or others because of mental illness.
After the Virginia Tech tragedy, with your help, we asked our national leaders, "What are YOU going to do about gun violence?"
The tide is turning. Yesterday, Congress passed the first major piece of legislation to reduce gun violence in over a decade -- and congratulations are in order: you, our donors and activists, helped make this victory possible. Thank you!
The "National Instant Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007" (H.R. 2640) was passed by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate and House, and now goes to the President's desk for signature.
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PLEASE CALL PRESIDENT BUSH TODAY AT 202-456-1111
Urge Him to Sign the NICS Improvement Act Immediately
Give the Virginia Tech families this victory before the New Year
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This legislation was passed in response to the Virginia Tech massacre. The killer was able to arm himself because the court order that should have blocked his gun purchase was not reported to the national Brady background check system.
We deeply appreciate the courage and strength of the Virginia Tech victims. On October 16, many of the Virginia Tech families joined Paul Helmke and me on Capitol Hill calling for passage of this legislation -- the efforts of all the families involved were crucial to this victory.
Click here for more information on the NICS Improvement Act:
http://www.bradynetwork.org/site/R?i=qY8dzuX3czWbuQ9Xd-1Jag..
Our special thanks go out to Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) for their work on this legislation.
Much work lies ahead with the implementation of this legislation and our efforts to make the Brady background check system as strong as it can and should be. I know I can count on you to help us make future victories possible.
Thank you again and happy holidays.
Sincerely,
Sarah Brady, Chair
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
[url
Does this make anyone else nervous. I'm really starting to think both sides of the argument are milking us for all the $$ they can get and nothing more.