Brady Praises Senator Lautenberg For Bill On Records Destruction

Dec 1, 2009

Washington, DC - Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement today on the introduction of legislation by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg to stop the nearly immediate destruction of Brady background check records:

"There is no compelling public policy rationale for the current law that requires the destruction of records of Brady background checks within 24 hours of approval.  We are pleased with, and supportive of, the bill introduced today by Senator Frank Lautenberg that would assist law enforcement by allowing those records to be retained for a reasonable period of time, just as originally provided by the Brady Law.

"In this age of terrorism and with the rise of hate groups and the attacks and challenges our law enforcement professionals have been facing, it makes zero sense that crucial information about a potentially dangerous individual buying a dangerous weapon is kept from law enforcement.  We wouldn't have such a rule for bomb making materials, and we shouldn't have such a rule for guns. I salute Senator Lautenberg for introducing this bill, and I urge Congress to pass it and President Obama to sign it."

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Sen. Lautenberg's legislation, the Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions (PROTECT) Act of 2009, would require the FBI to retain for 10 years records related to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) transaction involving a valid match to federal terrorist watch list records and also repeal the requirement that other background check records be destroyed after 24 hours, instead reverting back to the pre-Bush Administration policy of maintaining such records of non-terrorist transactions for up to 180 days.

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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 www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.