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Brady Campaign Praises Senator Lautenberg for Bill That Would Strengthen Brady Background Check System
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-29-2008/0004802670&EDATE=
WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Paul Helmke, President
of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, today praised a bill
introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey that would require
longer retention of records in the Brady background check system and build
in greater safeguards when background checks reveal someone suspected of
terrorist activity.
The PROTECT (Preserving Records of Terrorist and Criminal Transactions)
Act of 2008 would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to
retain records of approved firearm transactions for at least 180 days.
Under current Justice Department regulations and appropriations
restrictions, those records must be destroyed within 24 hours. In cases
where the transaction involves a valid match to a terror watch list, the
FBI would be required to retain the record for a minimum of 10 years.
The courts have interpreted the Brady law to allow for the preservation
of background check records in approved purchases for a reasonable period
of time. Since 2004, the gun lobby has secured amendments to appropriations
bills requiring those records to be destroyed within 24 hours.
"Most Americans cannot believe that a known or suspected terrorist can
go through the Brady background check system and still buy guns," Helmke
said. "By strengthening Federal record retention laws, Senator Lautenberg's
bill will help stop terrorists and dangerous criminals from getting guns. I
want to thank Senator Lautenberg for introducing this sensible legislation,
and I urge Congress to move forward with it immediately. "
As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading
the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated
network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible
gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to
creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at
home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's
blog at http://www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at
http://www.bradycampaign.org.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-29-2008/0004802670&EDATE=
WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Paul Helmke, President
of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, today praised a bill
introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey that would require
longer retention of records in the Brady background check system and build
in greater safeguards when background checks reveal someone suspected of
terrorist activity.
The PROTECT (Preserving Records of Terrorist and Criminal Transactions)
Act of 2008 would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to
retain records of approved firearm transactions for at least 180 days.
Under current Justice Department regulations and appropriations
restrictions, those records must be destroyed within 24 hours. In cases
where the transaction involves a valid match to a terror watch list, the
FBI would be required to retain the record for a minimum of 10 years.
The courts have interpreted the Brady law to allow for the preservation
of background check records in approved purchases for a reasonable period
of time. Since 2004, the gun lobby has secured amendments to appropriations
bills requiring those records to be destroyed within 24 hours.
"Most Americans cannot believe that a known or suspected terrorist can
go through the Brady background check system and still buy guns," Helmke
said. "By strengthening Federal record retention laws, Senator Lautenberg's
bill will help stop terrorists and dangerous criminals from getting guns. I
want to thank Senator Lautenberg for introducing this sensible legislation,
and I urge Congress to move forward with it immediately. "
As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading
the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated
network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible
gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to
creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at
home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's
blog at http://www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at
http://www.bradycampaign.org.