Gun Control Legislation in the 108th Congress

Order Code IB10112
CRS Issue Brief for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Gun Control Legislation in the 108th Congress
Updated September 28, 2004
William J. Krouse
Domestic Social Policy Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

CONTENTS
SUMMARY
MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Pro/Con Debate
Gun-Related Statistics
Number of Guns
Criminal Use
Gun Violence and Youth
Suicides, Accidents, and Other Deaths
Self-Defense
Recreation
Federal Regulation of Firearms
Federal Regulation of Firearm Transfers
Brady Act Implementation
Federal Firearm Prosecutions
Major Federal Firearm and Related Statutes
Possible Issues for the 108th Congress
District of Columbia Handgun Ban
Concealed Carry
Gun Industry Liability
Gun Safety Locks or Storage Devices
Semiautomatic Assault Weapons Ban
Gun Shows
Armor Piercing Ammunition
ATF Appropriation Limitations
Background Check Fee and Record Retention
Qualifying Crime Gun Trace Data
Undetectable Firearms Ban
Brady Act Background Checks
Ballistic Imaging


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Gun Control Legislation in the 108th Congress
SUMMARY
Congress continues to debate the efficacy
old age group, a 3% increase.
and constitutionality of federal regulation of
firearms and ammunition. Gun control advo-
Several dozen gun control-related pro-
cates argue that federal regulation of firearms
posals introduced in the 108th Congress repre-
curbs access by criminals, juveniles, and other
sent a variety of positions on gun control; only
“high-risk” individuals. To improve criminal
a few have received significant legislative
justice, they contend that only federal mea-
action. Congress has passed bills that exempt
sures can successfully reduce the availability
certain law enforcement officers from state
of guns throughout the nation. Some seek
concealed carry laws (P.L. 108-277), and
broad policy changes such as near-prohibition
extend the undetectable firearms ban for 10
of non-police handgun ownership or the regis-
years (P.L. 108-174). In addition, firearm-
tration of all firearms or firearm owners. They
related provisions were included in the Con-
assert that there is no constitutional barrier to
solidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-
such measures and no significant social costs.
199). Similar provisions are in the House-
passed FY2005 Commerce-Justice-State
Others advocate less comprehensive
appropriations bill (H.R. 4754).
policies that they maintain would not impede
ownership and legitimate firearm transfers.
The House passed a bill (H.R. 1036) that
Opposition to federal controls is strong. Gun
would prohibit lawsuits against firearm manu-
control opponents deny that federal policies
facturers/dealers for unlawful or criminal use
keep firearms out of the hands of high-risk
of their products by other persons. The Senate
persons; rather, they argue, controls often
considered a similar bill (S. 1805) and amend-
create burdens for law-abiding citizens and
ed it with several gun control amendments,
infringe upon constitutional rights provided by
which would have (1) required firearm dealers
the Second Amendment. Some argue further
to provide safety locks with handguns, (2)
that widespread gun ownership is one of the
extended the semiautomatic assault weapons
best deterrents to crime as well as to potential
ban for additional 10 years, (3) required back-
tyranny, whether by gangs or by government.
ground checks for private firearm transfers at
They may also criticize the notion of enhanc-
gun shows, and (4) commissioned a study on
ing federal, as opposed to state, police powers.
armor-piercing ammunition. The Senate did
not pass S. 1805, however, as many Senators
Mortality and crime statistics are often
either opposed the gun control amendments,
used in the gun control debate. From 1993 to
or opposed the bill as initially introduced.
2000, firearm fatalities from all causes and for
all age groups decreased by 28%; for juve-
Other issues that may receive attention
niles, they decreased by 53%. The number of
could include improving access to disqualify-
homicides committed annually with a firearm
ing firearm eligibility records; expanding
by persons in the 14- to 24-year-old age group
federally-supported ballistic imaging; address-
increased by 173% from 1985 to 1993, de-
ing the 10-year assault weapons ban, which
creased by 87% from 1993 to 1999, and in-
expired on September 13, 2004; and repealing
creased by 1% in 2000. The increase in 2000
the District of Columbia “handgun ban.”
can be attributed to firearm-related homicides
committed by offenders in the 18- to 24-year-
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MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The 108th Congress is likely to continue the national debate over the efficacy and
constitutionality of further federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. Several dozen gun
control-related proposals have been introduced that represent a variety of positions on gun
control, yet only a handful of bills have received significant legislative action. For example,
Congress has passed bills that would exempt certain law enforcement officers from state laws
that prohibit the concealed carry of firearms (P.L. 108-277), and extend the undetectable
firearms ban for an additional 10 years (P.L. 108-174). Congress also included several other
gun-related provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (CAA; P.L. 108-199).
One provision in the CAA prohibits the FBI from charging a fee for firearm background
checks and requires the destruction of approved firearm background check records within 24
hours. A similar provision is included in the House-passed FY2005 Commerce-Justice-State
appropriations bill (H.R. 4754).
In addition, the House passed a bill (H.R. 1036) that would prohibit lawsuits against
firearm manufacturers or dealers for unlawful or criminal use of their products by other
persons. The Senate considered a similar bill (S. 1805) and amended it with several gun
control amendments, which would have (1) required firearm dealers to provide safety locks
with handguns, (2) extended the semiautomatic assault weapons ban for additional 10 years,
(3) required background checks for private firearm transfers at gun shows, and (4)
commissioned a study on armor-piercing ammunition. The Senate did not pass S. 1805,
however, as many Senators either opposed the gun control amendments, or the bill as initially
introduced.
Meanwhile, the 10-year ban on the manufacture, transfer, or possession of
“semiautomatic assault weapons” and “large capacity ammunition feeding devices” (capable
of holding more than 10 rounds) expired on September 13, 2004. Other issues that could
receive attention include improving access to criminal and other records that disqualify
firearm transfer and possession eligibility, expanding federally-supported ballistic imaging,
and repealing the District of Columbia “handgun ban.”
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Pro/Con Debate
Through the years, legislative proposals to restrict the availability of firearms to the
public have raised the following questions: What restrictions on firearms are permissible
under the Constitution? Does gun control constitute crime control? Can the nation’s rates
of homicide, robbery, and assault be reduced by the stricter regulation of firearm commerce
or ownership? Would restrictions stop attacks on public figures or thwart deranged persons
and terrorists? Would household, street corner, and schoolyard disputes be less lethal if
firearms were more difficult and expensive to acquire? Would more restrictive gun control
policies have the unintended effect of impairing citizens’ means of self-defense?
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In recent years, proponents of gun control legislation have often held that only federal
laws can be effective in the United States. Otherwise, they say, states with few restrictions
will continue to be sources of guns that flow illegally into restrictive states. They believe
that the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which states that “A well regulated Militia,
being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms
shall not be infringed,”is being misread in today’s modern society. They argue that the
Second Amendment: (1) is now obsolete, with the presence of professional police forces;
(2) is intended solely to guard against suppression of state militias by the central government
and therefore restricted in scope by that intent; or (3) does not guarantee a right that is
absolute, but one that can be limited by reasonable requirements. They ask why a private
citizen needs any firearm in today’s modern society that is not designed primarily for hunting
or other recognized sporting purposes.
Proponents of firearm restrictions have advocated policy changes on specific types of
firearms or components that appear to be useful primarily for criminal purposes or that pose
unusual risks to the public. Fully automatic firearms (that is, machine guns) and
short-barreled rifles and shotguns have been subject to strict regulation since 1934. Fully
automatic firearms have been banned from private possession since 1986, except for those
legally owned and registered with the Secretary of the Treasury on May 19, 1986. More
recently, “Saturday night specials” (loosely defined as inexpensive, small handguns), “assault
weapons,” ammunition-feeding devices with capacities for more than seven rounds, and
certain ammunition have been the focus of control efforts.
Opponents of gun control vary in their positions with respect to specific forms of
control but generally hold that gun control laws do not accomplish what is intended. They
argue that it is as difficult to keep weapons from being acquired by “high risk” individuals,
even under federal laws and enforcement, as it was intended to stop the sale and use of liquor
during Prohibition. In their view, a more stringent federal firearm regulatory system would
only create problems for law-abiding citizens, bring mounting frustration and escalation of
bans by gun regulators, and possibly threaten citizens’ civil rights or safety. Some argue that
the low violent crime rates of other countries have nothing to do with gun control,
maintaining instead that multiple cultural differences are responsible.
Gun control opponents also reject the assumption that the only legitimate purpose of
ownership by a private citizen is recreational (i.e., hunting and target-shooting). They insist
on the continuing need of people for effective means to defend person and property, and they
point to studies that they believe show that gun possession lowers the incidence of crime.
They say that the law enforcement and criminal justice system in the United States has not
demonstrated the ability to furnish an adequate measure of public safety in all settings. Some
opponents believe further that the Second Amendment includes a right to keep arms as a
defense against potential government tyranny, pointing to examples in other countries of the
use of firearm restrictions to curb dissent and secure illegitimate government power.
The debate has been intense. To gun control advocates, the opposition is out of touch
with the times, misinterprets the Second Amendment, or is lacking in concern for the
problems of crime and violence. To gun control opponents, advocates are naive in their faith
in the power of regulation to solve social problems, bent on disarming the American citizen
for ideological or social reasons, or moved by irrational hostility to firearms and gun
enthusiasts.
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Gun-Related Statistics
Number of Guns. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) reported in a national
survey that in 1994, 44 million people, approximately 35% of households, owned 192
million firearms, 65 million of which were handguns. Seventy-four percent of those
individuals were reported to own more than one firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms (ATF) estimated that as of the end of 1996, approximately 242 million firearms
were available for sale to or were possessed by civilians in the United States. That total
includes roughly 72 million handguns (mostly pistols, revolvers, and derringers), 76 million
rifles, and 64 million shotguns. By the year 2000, according to recent CRS extrapolations,
the number of firearms had increased to over 258 million: 92 million handguns, 92 million
rifles, and 75 million shotguns.
Most guns available for sale are produced domestically. In recent years, 1 to 2 million
handguns were manufactured each year, along with 1 million rifles and less than 1 million
shotguns. Annual imports are considerably fewer — from 200,000 to 400,000 handguns,
200,000 rifles, and 100,000 to 200,000 shotguns. Retail prices of guns vary widely, from
$50 or less for inexpensive, low-caliber handguns to more than $1,500 for high-quality rifles
or shotguns. Data are not available on the number of “assault weapons” in private possession
or available for sale, but estimates prepared in 1989 by a firearms expert associated with the
Smithsonian Institution placed the number of such firearms at that time in the range of 1 to
4 million, less than 3% of the number of guns estimated to exist in the civilian market.
Criminal Use. Reports submitted by state and local law enforcement agencies to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and published annually in the Uniform Crime Reports
indicate that both the crime rate and the violent crime rate have declined since 1981. Of the
homicides in which the type of weapon could be identified, from 60% to almost 70% have
involved firearms each year. The number of homicides and the proportion involving firearms
have declined in recent years. In 2001 of the 13,752 homicides reported, 63% (8,719) were
committed with firearms. Of those committed with firearms, 78% (6,790) involved
handguns. From 1993 to1999, the number of firearm-related homicides decreased by an
average rate of nearly 11% annually, for an overall decrease of 49%. In 2000, however,
firearm-related homicides increased to 8,661, about 2%. In 2001, they increased again to
8,719, less than 1%.
The other principal source of national crime data is the National Crime Victimization
Survey (NCVS) conducted by the Bureau of the Census and published by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics (BJS). The NCVS database provides some information on the weapons
used by offenders, based on victims’ reports. Based on data provided by survey respondents
in calendar year 2001, BJS estimated that, nationwide, there were 5.7 million violent crimes
(rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault). Weapons were used
in about 1.5 million of these criminal incidents. Firearms were used by offenders in about
524,000 of these incidents, or roughly 9%. For further information, see Criminal
Victimization 2001: Changes 2000-2001 with Trends 1993-2001
, by Callie Rennison, at
[http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cv01.htm].
Gun Violence and Youth. Youth crime statistics have often been used in the gun
control debate. The number of homicides committed annually with a firearm by persons in
the 14- to 24-year-old age group increased sharply from 1985 to 1993; they have declined
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since then, but not back to the 1985 level. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, from
1985 to 1993, the number of firearm-related homicides committed by 14- to 17-year-olds
increased by 294%, from 855 to 3,371. From 1993 to 2000, the number of firearm-related
homicides committed by persons in this age group decreased by 68%, from 3,371 to 1,084.
From 1985 to 1993, firearm-related homicides committed by 18- to 24-year-olds
increased by 142%, from 3,374 to 8,171. From 1993 to 1999, firearm-related homicides
committed by persons in this age group decreased by 39%, from 8,171 to 4,988. They
increased by 3% to 5,162 in 2000. For further information, see Homicide Trends in the
United States
, by James Alan Fox and Marianne W. Zawitz, at
[http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/teens.htm].
Although gun-related violence in schools is statistically a rare event, a Department of
Justice survey indicated that 12.7% of students age 12 to 19 reported knowing a student who
brought a firearm to school. For further information, see CRS Report RL30482, The Safe
and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program: Background and Context
, by Edith
Fairman Cooper.
Suicides, Accidents, and Other Deaths. Firearm fatalities have decreased
continuously since 1993. The source of national data on firearm deaths is the publication
Vital Statistics, published each year by the National Center for Health Statistics. Firearm
deaths reported by coroners in each state are presented in four categories: homicides and
legal intervention, suicides, accidents, and unknown circumstances. In 2001, a total of
29,573 firearm deaths occurred, according to such reports. Of this total, 11,671 were
homicides or due to legal intervention; 16,869 were suicides; 802 were unintentional
(accidental) shootings; and 231 were of unknown cause. From 1993 to 2000, firearm-related
deaths decreased by an average rate of nearly 5% annually, for an overall decrease of nearly
28%. As compared to 2000, firearm deaths increased by 3% in 2001. Also in 2001, there
were 1,433 juvenile (under 18 years of age) deaths attributed to firearms. Of the juvenile
total, 841 were homicides or due to legal intervention; 451 were suicides; 125 were
unintentional; and 16 were of unknown cause. From 1993 to 2001, firearm-related deaths
for juveniles have decreased by an average rate of 10% annually, for an overall decrease of
56%.
Self-Defense. According to BJS, NCVS data from 1987 to 1992 indicate that in each
of those years, roughly 62,200 victims of violent crime (1% of all victims of such crimes)
used guns to defend themselves. Another 20,000 persons each year used guns to protect
property. Persons in the business of self-protection (police officers, armed security guards)
may have been included in the survey. Another source of information on the use of firearms
for self-defense is the “National Self Defense Survey” conducted by criminology professor
Gary Kleck of Florida State University in the spring of 1993. Citing responses from 4,978
households, Dr. Kleck estimated that handguns have been used 2.1 million times per year for
self-defense, and that all types of guns have been used approximately 2.5 million times a year
for that purpose, during the 1988-1993 period.
Why do these numbers vary by such a wide margin? Law enforcement agencies do not
collect information on the number of times civilians use firearms to defend themselves or
their property against attack. Such data have been collected in household surveys. The
contradictory nature of the available statistics may be partially explained by methodological
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factors. That is, these and other criminal justice statistics reflect what is reported to have
occurred, not necessarily the actual number of times certain events occur. Victims and
offenders are sometimes reluctant to be candid with researchers. So, the number of criminal
incidents can only be estimated, making it difficult to state with certainty the accuracy of
statistics such as the number of times firearms are used in self-defense. For this and other
reasons, criminal justice statistics often vary when different methodologies are applied.
Survey research can be limited, since it is difficult to produce statistically significant
findings from small incident populations. For example, the sample in the National Self-
Defense Survey might have been too small, given the low incidence rate and the inherent
limitations of survey research.
Recreation. According to NIJ, in 1994 recreation was the most common motivation
for owning a firearm. There were approximately 15 million hunters, about 35% of gun
owners, in the United States and about the same number and percentage of gun owners
engaged in sport shooting in 1994. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that 31.6
million persons purchased hunting licenses or permits in 1993 and, according to the National
Sporting Goods Association, in that year approximately 18.5 million persons took part in
firearms sporting activities.
Federal Regulation of Firearms
As stated in the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (P.L. 90-618; Title 18, United
States Code, Chapter 44), the purpose of federal firearm regulation is to assist federal, state,
and local law enforcement in the ongoing effort to reduce crime and violence. In the same
act, however, Congress also stated that the intent of the law is not to place any undue or
unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens in regard to the lawful acquisition, possession,
or use of firearms for hunting, trapshooting, target shooting, personal protection, or any other
lawful activity.
Indeed, issues related to federal firearm regulation currently under debate generally
revolve around the following questions. One, who should be ineligible to possess firearms?
Two, what types of firearms are appropriate for statutorily enumerated lawful firearm
activities? Three, when, where, and how is it appropriate to check persons seeking to acquire
a firearm for possession eligibility?
Federal Regulation of Firearm Transfers. Under current law, federal firearm
licensees (hereafter referred to as licensees) may ship, transport, and receive firearms that
have moved in interstate and foreign commerce. Licensees are currently required to verify
with the FBI through a background check that nonlicensed persons are eligible to possess a
firearm before subsequently transferring a firearm to them. Licensees must also verify the
identity of nonlicensed transferees by inspecting a government-issued identity document
(e.g., a driver’s license).
Under current law, there are nine classes of persons prohibited from possessing
firearms: (1) persons convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a
term exceeding one year; (2) fugitives from justice; (3) drug users, or addicts; (4) persons
adjudicated mental defectives, or committed to mental institutions; (5) unauthorized
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immigrants and nonimmigrant visitors; (6) persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed
Forces; (7) U.S. citizenship renunciates; (8) persons under court-order restraints related to
harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner; and
(9) persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence (18 U.S.C. §922(g) and (n)).
Licensees may engage in interstate transfers of firearms between themselves without
conducting background checks. While they may transfer long guns (rifles or shotguns) to
out-of-state residents, as long as there are in-person meetings and such transfers would not
knowingly be in violation of the laws of the state in which the nonlicensed transferees reside,
they may not transfer handguns to unlicensed out-of-state residents. Transfer of handguns
by licensees to anyone under 21-years-of-age is prohibited, as is the transfer of long guns to
anyone under 18-years-of-age (18 U.S.C. §922(b)). Also, licensees are required to submit
a “multiple sales reports” to the Attorney General of the Treasury if any person purchases
two or more handguns within five business days.
Furthermore, licensees are required to maintain records on all acquisitions and
dispositions of firearms. They are obligated to respond to ATF agents requesting firearm
tracing information within 24 hours. Under certain circumstances, ATF agents may inspect,
without search warrants, their business premises, inventory, and records.
Nonlicensees are prohibited from acquiring firearms from out-of-state sources (except
for long guns acquired from licensees under the scenario described above). Nonlicensees are
also prohibited from transferring firearms to any persons who they have reasonable cause
to believe are not residents of the state in which the transaction occurs. In addition, since
1986, it has been a federal offense for nonlicensees to knowingly transfer a firearm to
prohibited persons. It is also notable that firearm transfers initiated through the Internet are
subject to the same federal laws as transfers initiated in any other manner. (For further
information, see CRS Report RS20957, Internet Firearm Sales, by T.J. Halstead.)
Finally, since 1994, it has been a federal offense for any nonlicensed person to transfer
a handgun to anyone under 18-years-of-age. It has also been illegal for anyone under 18-
years-of-age to possess a handgun (there are exceptions to this law related to employment,
ranching, farming, target practice, and hunting) (18 U.S.C. §922(x)).
Brady Act Implementation. In 1993, Congress enacted the Brady Handgun
Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act; P.L. 103-159). The Brady Act required that
background checks be completed on all nonlicensed persons seeking to obtain firearms from
federal firearm licensees. It was implemented in two phases. During the interim period of
the Brady Act (phase I), from February 1994 through November 1998, there was a waiting
period of up to five days for handgun transfers in states without instant check systems.
Nearly 13 million firearm background checks were completed, resulting in 312,000 denials.
The permanent provisions (phase II) of the Brady Act became effective on November
30, 1998. As part of phase II, the FBI rolled out the National Instant Criminal Background
Check System (NICS). Through NICS, under the permanent Brady provisions, background
checks are conducted of applicants for both hand and long gun transfers. In 31 states, federal
firearm licensees contact the FBI to conduct background checks through NICS. Through
CY2002, the FBI had completed nearly 36 million background checks for firearm transfer
applications. Of this number, nearly 282,000 background checks, or about 2%, resulted in
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firearm transfers being denied. Of these checks, nearly 58% of denials occurred because the
applicant was a felon or was under felony indictment. The next most common reason for
denial, about 14% of cases, was a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction. In addition,
protective orders accounted for 4% of denials. (For further information, see National Instant
Criminal Background Check System (NICS): 2001/2002 Operational Report
, May 2003, p.
5, at [http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2003/May/nics_opreport.pdf].)
In 14 states, state agencies serve as points of contact (POCs) and conduct background
checks for both long gun and handgun transfers. In five states, state agencies serve as POCs
for handgun transfers only. In five states, state agencies serve as POCs for handgun permits
only. In POC states, federal firearm licensees contact the state agency, and the state agency
contacts the FBI. In non-POC states, federal firearm licensees contact the FBI directly
through the NICS system. During phase II, State POCs completed roughly the same number
of background checks as the FBI, resulting in a 2% denial rate as well. Between November
1998 and December 2002, the FBI estimates that 563,000 firearm transfers have been denied
by the Bureau and state agencies, combined.
For state agencies (POCs), background checks may not be as expeditious, but they may
be more thorough, since state agencies may have greater access to databases and records that
are not available through NICS. According to the General Accounting Office (GAO), this
is particularly true for domestic violence misdemeanor offenses and protective orders. (For
further information, see GAO Report GAO-02-720, Gun Control: Opportunities to Close
Loopholes in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
, July 2002, p. 27.)
NICS eligibility determination rates — how expeditiously the system makes eligibility
determinations, have been controversial. According to GAO, about 72% of the NICS checks
handled by the FBI resulted in immediate determinations of eligibility. Of the remaining
28% that resulted in a non-definitive response, neither a “proceed” nor a denial, 80% were
turned around within two hours. The remaining 20% of delayed transactions took hours or
days for the FBI NICS examiners to reach a final determination. (For further information,
see GAO Report GGD/AIMD-00-64, Gun Control: Implementation of the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System
, February, p. 68.)
In many cases firearm transfers were delayed because there was an outstanding charge
without a final disposition against the person seeking to purchase the firearm. Such cases
necessitate that the FBI examiners contact local or state authorities for additional
information. Under current law, the FBI is authorized to delay the sale for three business
days in order to determine the outcome of the charge and, thus, establish the eligibility of the
transferee to possess a firearm. The FBI reports that, from July 2002 through March 2003,
the immediate determination rate for NICS increased to 91%, as compared to just under 77%
from November 2001 through July 2002. (See NICS 2001/2002 Operational Report, p. 8.)
NICS system availability — how regularly the system can be accessed during business
hours and not delay legitimate firearm transfers — has also been a source of complaint.
GAO found, however, that in the first year of NICS operation, the FBI had achieved its
system availability goal of 98% for four months. System availability for the remaining eight
months averaged 95.4%. (See GAO Report GGD/AIMD-00-64, Implementation of NICS,
p. 94.) The FBI reports that NICS service availability has been increased to 99% in FY2001
and FY2002. (See NICS 2001/2002 Operational Report, p. 6.) During consideration of
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legislation in the 106th Congress to extend the Brady Act background check provisions to all
firearm transfers at gun shows, the capacity of NICS to instantaneously accomplish these
checks became a major stumbling block.
Federal Firearm Prosecutions. Regarding enforcement of the Brady Act, from
November 1998 through June 2000, the FBI referred 134,522 Brady-related cases to the
ATF, and 37,926 of these cases were referred to ATF field offices for investigation.
According to ATF, in FY2000 there were 1,485 defendants charged with firearm-related
violations as a result of NICS checks under Brady. Of these defendants, 1,157 were charged
with providing falsified information to federal firearm licensees (18 U.S.C. §922(a)(6));
another 86 were persons ineligible to posses firearms under the domestic violence gun ban
(18 U.S.C. §§922(g)(8) and (9)); and 136 were convicted felons (18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1)).
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, however, federal firearm prosecutions
decreased by 19% from 1992 to 1996, they leveled off through 1997, and increased in 1998
and 1999. The decline in federal prosecutions can be attributed in part to a Supreme Court
decision (Bailey v. United States (516 U.S. 137, 116 S.Ct. 501)) that limited the use of the
charge of using a firearm during a violent or drug-related offense (18 United States Code, §
924(c)). See Federal Firearm Offenders, 1992-98 (with Preliminary Data for 1999), June
2000, at [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/ffo98.pdf].
Major Federal Firearm and Related Statutes. Two major federal statutes
regulate the commerce in firearms, or their ownership: the National Firearms Act of 1934 (26
U.S.C. §5801 et seq.) and the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (18 U.S.C. Ch. 44, §921
et seq.). The National Firearms Act was originally designed to make it difficult to obtain
types of firearms perceived to be especially lethal or to be the chosen weapons of
“gangsters,” most notably machine guns and short-barreled long guns. This law also
regulates firearms, other than pistols or revolvers, that can be concealed on a person (e.g.,
pen, cane, and belt buckle guns). It taxes all aspects of the manufacture and distribution of
such weapons. And, it compels the disclosure (through registration with the Secretary of the
Treasury) of the production and distribution system from manufacturer to buyer.
The Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended, contains the principal federal restrictions
on domestic commerce in small arms and ammunition. The statute requires all persons
manufacturing, importing, or selling firearms as a business to be federally licensed; prohibits
the interstate mail-order sale of all firearms; prohibits interstate sale of handguns generally,
sets forth categories of persons to whom firearms or ammunition may not be sold (such as
persons under a specified age or with criminal records); authorizes the Secretary of the
Treasury to prohibit the importation of non-sporting firearms; requires that dealers maintain
records of all commercial gun sales; and establishes special penalties for the use of a firearm
in the perpetration of a federal drug trafficking offense or crime of violence. Transactions
between persons “not engaged in the business” are not covered by the act. These transactions
and other matters such as possession, registration, and the issuing of licenses to the owners
of firearms may be covered by state laws or local ordinances. It also prohibits federal firearm
licensees from selling or delivering a rifle or shotgun to a person under 18 years of age, or
a handgun to a person under 21 years of age.
Supplementing federal law, many state firearm laws are stricter than federal law. For
example, some states require permits to obtain firearms and impose a waiting period for
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firearm transfers. Other states are less restrictive, but state law cannot preempt federal law.
Federal law serves as the minimum standard in the United States.
The following principal changes have been enacted to the Gun Control Act since 1968.
! The “Firearms Owners Protection Act,” McClure-Volkmer Amendments
(P.L. 99-308, 1986) eases certain interstate transfer and shipment
requirements for long guns, defines the term “engaged in the business,”
eliminates some record-keeping requirements, and bans the private
possession of machine guns not legally owned prior to 1986.
! The “Armor Piercing Ammunition” Ban (P.L. 99-408, 1986, amended in
P.L. 103-322, 1994) prohibits the manufacture, importation and delivery of
handgun ammunition composed of certain metal substances and certain full-
jacketed ammunition.
! The Federal Energy Management Improvement Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-615)
requires that all toys or firearm look-alikes have a blazed orange plug in the
barrel, denoting that it is a non-lethal imitation.
! The Undetectable Firearms Act (P.L. 100-649, 1988), also known as the
“plastic gun” legislation, bans the manufacture, import, possession, and
transfer of firearms not detectable by security devices.
! The Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-647), as originally
enacted, was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court (United
States v. Lopez
, 514 U.S. 549 (1995), April 26, 1995). The act prohibited
possession of a firearm in a school zone (on the campus of a public or
private school or within 1,000 feet of the grounds). In response to the
Court’s finding that the act exceeded Congress’s authority to regulate
commerce, the 104th Congress included a provision in P.L. 104-208 that
amended the act to require federal prosecutors to include evidence that the
firearms “moved in” or affected interstate commerce.
! The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, 1993 (P.L. 103-159) requires
that background checks be completed on all nonlicensed person seeking to
obtain firearms from federal firearm licensees.
! The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L.
103-322) prohibits the manufacture or importation of semiautomatic assault
weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (for a 10-year
period). In the case of high capacity ammunition feeding devices, the ban
on importation applies to those devices manufactured after September 1994.
This act provides an exception for the transfer, sale, or possession of
semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding
devices lawfully possessed on the date of enactment. This act also bans the
sale or transfer of handguns and handgun ammunition to, or possession of
handguns and handgun ammunition by, juveniles (under 18 years of age)
without prior written consent from the juvenile’s parent or legal guardian;
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exceptions related to employment, ranching, farming, target practice, and
hunting are provided. In addition, the act disqualifies persons under court
orders related to domestic abuse from receiving a firearm from any person
or possessing a firearm. It also enhances penalties for the criminal use of
firearms and makes other changes to existing law.
! Federal Domestic Violence Gun Ban (the Lautenberg Amendment, in the
Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY1997, P.L. 104-208)
prohibits persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence
from possessing firearms and ammunition. The ban applies regardless of
when the offense was adjudicated: prior to, or following enactment. It has
been challenged in the federal courts, but these challenges have been
defeated. (See CRS Report RL31143, Firearms Prohibitions and Domestic
Violence Convictions: The Lautenberg Amendment
, by T.J. Halstead.)
! The Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Appropriations Act, 1999 (P.L.
105-277), requires all federal firearm licensees to offer for sale gun storage
and safety devices. It also bans firearm transfers to, or possession by, most
nonimmigrants, and those nonimmigrants who have overstayed the terms of
their temporary visa.
! The Treasury, Postal and General Government Appropriations Act (P.L.
106-58) requires that background checks be conducted when former firearm
owners seek to redeem a firearm that they sold to a pawnshop.
! The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) establishes a Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives by transferring the law
enforcement functions, but not the revenue functions, of the former Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from the Department of the Treasury to
the Department of Justice.
Possible Issues for the 108th Congress
Several dozen gun control-related proposals have been introduced in the 108th Congress
that represent a range of positions on federal regulation of firearms, yet only a handful of
bills have received significant legislative action. Congress passed bills that exempt certain
law enforcement officers from state laws that prohibit the concealed carry of firearms (P.L.
108-277) and extend the undetectable firearms ban for an additional 10 years (P.L. 108-174).
Congress also included several other gun-related provisions in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2004 (CAA; P.L. 108-199). One provision in the CAA prohibits the FBI
from charging a fee for firearm background checks and requires the destruction of approved
firearm background check records within 24 hours. A similar provision is included in the
House-passed FY2005 Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill (H.R. 4754).
In addition, the House passed a bill (H.R. 1036) that would prohibit law suits against
firearm manufacturers or dealers for unlawful or criminal use of their products by other
persons. The Senate considered a similar bill (S. 1805) and amended it with several gun
control provisions. Among other things, these amendments would have (1) required firearm
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dealers to provide safety locks with handguns they sell or transfer, (2) extended the
semiautomatic assault weapons ban for additional 10 years, (3) required background checks
for private firearm transfers at gun shows, and (4) commissioned a study on armor-piercing
ammunition. The Senate did not pass S. 1805, however, as many Senators opposed the pro-
gun control amendments, or opposed the bill as initially introduced.
Meanwhile, the 10-year ban on the manufacture, transfer, or possession of
“semiautomatic assault weapons” and “large capacity ammunition feeding devices” expired
on September 13, 2004. Other issues that could receive attention include improving access
to criminal and other records that disqualify firearm transfer and possession eligibility,
expanding federally-supported ballistic imaging, and repealing the District of Columbia
“handgun ban.”
District of Columbia Handgun Ban. The House is expected to consider a bill
(H.R. 3193) that would repeal the District of Columbia “handgun ban” and other limitations
on firearms possession. The handgun ban was passed by the District of Columba Council
on June 26, 1976. It requires that all firearms within the District be registered, all owners be
licensed, and prohibited the registration of handguns after September 24, 1976 (hence, the
DC handgun ban). Under the Home Rule Act (P.L. 93-198), however, Congress reserved for
itself the authority to legislate for the District. H.R. 3193 would amend the DC Code to (1)
limit the Council’s authority to regulated firearms; (2) remove the term “semiautomatic
weapon” that can fire more than 12 rounds without manually reloading from the definition
of “machine gun;” (3) amend the registration requirements so that they do not apply to
handguns, but only to sawed-off shotguns, machine guns, and short-barreled rifles; (4)
remove restrictions on ammunition possession; (5) repeal requirements that DC residents
keep firearms in their possession unloaded and disassembled, or bound by a trigger lock; (6)
repeal firearm registration requirements generally; and (7) repeal certain criminal penalties
for possessing unregistered firearms or carrying unlicensed handguns. A similar measure has
been introduced in the Senate (S. 1414).
Concealed Carry. The House passed H.R. 218 (H.Rept. 108-560) on June 23, 2004,
a bill that would exempt certain current and former law enforcement officers from state laws
prohibiting the carry of concealed handguns. The Senate passed H.R. 218 on July 7. This
bill has been signed by the President (P.L. 108-277), the “Law Enforcement Officers Safety
Act of 2004.” This law provides that qualified active and retired law enforcement officers
may carry a concealed firearm, “[n]otwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State
or any political subdivision thereof....” This declaration supersedes state level prohibitions
on concealed carry that would otherwise apply to law enforcement officers falling within the
purview of the act. The act lays out various conditions and qualifications that must be met
before an individual can be recognized as a “qualified law enforcement officer” or a
“qualified retired law enforcement officer.” It is notable that the act does not override any
federal laws. Furthermore, the act does not supersede or limit state laws that permit private
persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their
property or prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any state or local government
property, installation, building, base, or park.
Gun Industry Liability. The House passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in
Arms Act (H.R. 1036) on April 9, 2003. This bill would prohibit certain types of law suits
against firearm manufacturers and dealers to recover damages related to the criminal or
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unlawful use of their products (firearms or ammunition) by other persons. The Senate
considered a similar measure (S. 1805) and amended it with several gun control amendments,
which are discussed in greater detail below. The Senate did not pass S. 1805, however, as
many Senators, who either opposed the bill as introduced, or opposed the gun control
amendments, withdrew their support for the bill. (For further information on gun industry
liability-related, see CRS Report RS21486, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act,
H.R. 1036, 108th Congress: Legal Analysis
, by Henry Cohen.)
Gun Safety Locks or Storage Devices. The Omnibus Consolidated and
Emergency Appropriations Act, 1999 (P.L. 105-277), requires all federal firearm licensees
to offer for sale gun storage and safety devices. On February 26, 2004, the Senate passed an
amendment to the gun industry liability act (S. 1805) that would require firearm
manufacturers or dealers to provide a safe storage device or gun safety lock with every
handgun they sell or transfer, but the Senate did not pass this bill.
Semiautomatic Assault Weapons Ban. Congress banned for 10 years the
possession, transfer, or further domestic manufacture of semiautomatic assault weapons
(SAWs) and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs) that hold greater than 10
rounds that were not legally owned or available prior to September 13, 1994. The SAW-
LCAFD ban expired on September 13, 2004. Assault rifles were originally developed to
provide a lighter infantry weapon that could fire more rounds, more rapidly (increased
capacity and rate of fire). To increase capacity of fire, detachable, self-feeding magazines
were developed. These rifles were usually designed to be fired in fully automatic mode,
meaning that once the trigger is pulled, the weapon continues to fire rapidly until all the
rounds in the magazine are expended, or the trigger is released. Often these rifles were
designed with a “select fire” feature that allowed them to be fired in short bursts (e.g., three
rounds per pull of the trigger), or in semiautomatic mode (i.e, one round per pull of the
trigger), as well as in fully automatic mode. Semiautomatic firearms by comparison,
including semiautomatic assault weapons, fire one round per pull of the trigger.
Under current law, any firearm, including “assault weapons,” that can be fired in fully
automatic mode or in multi-round bursts are classified as “machine guns,” and must be
registered with the federal government under the National Firearms Act of 1934.
Furthermore, it is illegal to assemble a machine gun with legally or illegally obtained parts.
The population of legally owned machine guns has been frozen since 1986, and they are not
covered by the semiautomatic assault weapons ban. According to a 1997 survey of 203,300
state and federal prisoners, who had been armed during the commission of the crimes for
which they were incarcerated, fewer than one in 50, or less than 2%, used, carried, or
possessed a fully automatic or semiautomatic assault weapon. For further information, see
F i r e a r m U s e b y O f f e n d e r s , b y C a r o l i n e W o l f H a r l o w , a t
[http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/fuo.pdf].
Statute classifies a rifle as a semiautomatic assault weapon, if it is able to accept a
detachable magazine, and includes two or more of the following five characteristics: (1) a
folding or telescoping stock; (2) a pistol grip; (3) a bayonet mount; (4) a muzzle flash
suppressor or threaded barrel capable of accepting such a suppressor; or (5) a grenade
launcher. There are similar definitions for pistols and shotguns that are classified as
semiautomatic assault weapons (see 18 U.S.C. §921(a)(30)). Semiautomatic assault weapons
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that were legally owned prior to the ban are not restricted and can be transferred under
applicable federal and state laws.
Opponents of the ban argue that the statutorily defined characteristics of a
semiautomatic assault weapon are largely cosmetic, and that these weapons are potentially
no more lethal than other semiautomatic firearms that are designed to accept a detachable
magazine and are equal or superior in terms of ballistics and other performance
characteristics. Proponents of the ban argue that semiautomatic military-style firearms —
particularly those capable of accepting large capacity ammunition feeding devices — have
no place in the civilian gun stock.
Proposals have been introduced to extend or make permanent the ban. Other proposals
would modify the definition of “semiautomatic assault weapon” to cover a greater number
of firearms by reducing the number of features that would constitute such firearms, and
expand the list of certain makes and models of firearms that are statutorily enumerated as
banned. A proposal (S. 1034) introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein would make the ban
permanent, as would a proposal (H.R. 2038/S. 1431) introduced by Representative Carolyn
McCarthy and Senator Frank Lautenberg. The latter measure, however, would modify the
definition and expand the list of banned weapons. Senator Feinstein has also introduced
measures that would extend the ban for 10 years (S. 2190/S. 2498). On March 2, 2004, the
Senate passed an amendment to the gun industry liability bill (S. 1805) that would have
extended the ban for 10 years, but the Senate did not pass this bill. For further information,
see CRS Report RL32077, The Assault Weapons Ban: Legal Challenges and Legislative
Issues
, by T.J. Halstead, and CRS Report RL32585, Semiautomatic Assault Weapons Ban,
by William J. Krouse.
Gun Shows. Federal law does not regulate gun shows specifically. Federal law
regulating firearms transfers, however, is applicable to such transfers at gun shows. Federal
firearm licensees — those licensed by the federal government to manufacture, import, or deal
in firearms — are required to conduct background checks on nonlicensed persons seeking
to obtain firearms from them, by purchase or exchange. Conversely, nonlicensed persons —
those persons who transfer firearms, but who do not meet the statutory test of being “engaged
in the business” — are not required to conduct such checks. To some, this may appear to be
an incongruity in the law. Why, they ask, should licensees be required to conduct background
checks at gun shows, and not nonlicensees? To others, opposed to further federal regulation
of firearms, it may appear to be a continuance of the status quo (i.e., non-interference by the
federal government into private firearm transfers within state lines). On the other hand, those
seeking to increase federal regulation of firearms may view the absence of background
checks for firearm transfers between non licensed/private persons as a “loophole” in the law
that needs to be closed. A possible issue for Congress is whether federal regulation of
firearms should be expanded to include private firearm transfers at gun shows and other
similar venues.
Among gun show-related proposals, there are two basic models. The first, which passed
the Senate in the 106th Congress, is known by its sponsor in the 106th Congress, Senator
Lautenberg. Several members introduced variations of the Lautenberg proposal in the 107th
Congress. In the 108th Congress, Representative Conyers — ranking minority member of the
Judiciary Committee — introduced H.R. 260, which is similar to the Lautenberg proposal.
In addition, Senator Daschle introduced the Justice Enhancement and Domestic Security Act
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of 2003 (S. 22), which includes gun show language that is similar to the Lautenberg proposal.
The second is based on a proposal (S. 890) introduced in the 107th Congress by Senators
McCain and Lieberman. In the 108th Congress, Senators McCain and Reed have introduced
a proposal (S. 1807), which is similar to S. 890. On March 2, 2004, the Senate passed an
amendment offered by Senator McCain to the gun industry liability bill (S. 1805) that would
have required background checks for private firearm transfers at gun shows, but the Senate
did not pass this bill. For further information, see CRS Report RL32249, Gun Control:
Proposals to Regulate Gun Shows
.
Armor Piercing Ammunition. The “Armor Piercing Ammunition” Ban (P.L.
99-408, 1986, amended in P.L. 103-322, 1994) prohibits the manufacture, importation and
delivery of handgun ammunition composed of certain metal substances and certain full-
jacketed ammunition. The Senate passed an amendment to the gun industry liability bill (S.
1805) that would have required the Attorney General to commission a study to determine if
standards could be developed to measure the capacity of ammunition designed to pierce body
armor. This amendment would have also increased certain penalties for violent crimes
related to drug trafficking in which the perpetrators used ammunition designed to pierce body
armor. The Senate, however, did not pass S. 1805.
ATF Appropriation Limitations. During full committee markup of the CJS
appropriations bill (H.R. 2799), an amendment offered by Representative Todd Tiahrt was
narrowly passed. Among other things, this amendment inserted language into the ATF
salaries and expenses language that would have prohibited the use of any funding under this
bill for the purposes of acquiring certain firearm transfer records from federal firearm
licensees pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §923(g)(5), unless such a request was part of a criminal
investigation. A similar limitation was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2004 (P.L. 108-199), but it was substantially modified to prohibit ATF from disclosing data
contained in approved firearm transfer records to the public. The Tiahrt amendment inserted
an additional funding limitation in the ATF appropriations language that prohibits the agency
from requiring licensed dealers to conduct physical inventories of their businesses. Similar
language is included in the House-passed FY2005 CJS appropriations bill (H.R. 4754,
H.Rept. 108-576), and new language was inserted into the bill, by an amendment offered by
Representative Tiahrt, to further prohibit ATF from providing firearm trace data to the
public.
Background Check Fee and Record Retention. A provision in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199) prohibits the collection of any fee for firearms-
related background checks made through the National Instant Criminal Background Check
Systems (NICS). Similar provisions were included in CJS appropriations acts for the past
five years for fiscal years 1999 through 2003. Additional language, regarding the retention
of approved firearm transfer records, was added to this provision as part of the amendment
offered by Representative Todd Tiahrt during full committee markup of the CJS
appropriations bill (H.R. 2799). This language would have required the FBI to destroy
approved firearm background check records immediately. It was included in the House-
passed bill, but was not part of the Senate-reported bill. Modified language was included in
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199) that requires these records be
destroyed within 24 hours. Similar language is included in the FY2005 CJS appropriations
bill (H.R. 4754).
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Under Attorney General John Ashcroft, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had proposed
an administrative rule that called for the “next-day” destruction of these files. Among other
things, the DOJ asserted that maintaining approved firearm transfer records for any length
of time violated section 103(i) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (P.L. 103-
159). This provision prohibits the establishment of any electronic registry of firearms,
firearm owners, or approved firearm transactions or dispositions. Denied firearm transaction
records are maintained by the FBI permanently. Previously, however, the DOJ promulgated
a final rule that allowed such records to be maintained for up to 90 days for audit purposes
on January 22, 2001. Concerning the maintenance of these records, the National Rifle
Association (NRA) had challenged the DOJ in federal court, arguing that retaining the
approved records was tantamount to a temporary registry. On July 11, 2000, however, the
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, in the case of NRA. v. Reno (No.
99-5270, 216 F. 3d 122; 2000 U.S. App. Lexis 15906), found that nothing in the Brady Act
prohibited the temporary retention of information about lawful firearm transfers for certain
audit purposes.
Following the most recent proposed rule, GAO reported that under Attorney General
Reno the FBI had conducted “nonroutine”searches of the NICS audit log for law enforcement
agencies to determine whether a person, whom subsequent information showed was a
prohibited person, had been transferred a firearm within the previous 90 days. The FBI
informed GAO that such searches were routinely conducted, but were a “secondary benefit”
given that the audit log was maintained primarily to check for system “accuracy, privacy, and
performance.” The next day destruction of NICS records will essentially end “nonroutine”
searches. In addition, GAO reported that the next-day destruction of records would
“adversely affect” other NICS operations, including firearm-retrieval actions, NICS audit log
checks for previous background checks, verifications of NICS determinations for federal
firearm licensees, and ATF inspections of federal firearm licensees’ record keeping. For
further information on these issues, see GAO Report GAO-02-653, Gun Control: Potential
Effects of Next-Day Destruction of NICS Background Check Records
, July 2002.
Qualifying Crime Gun Trace Data. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004
(P.L. 108-199) includes a provision that requires ATF to qualify the statistical limitations of
published crime gun trace data. This provision was also part of the amendment (described
above) offered by Representative Todd Tiahrt during House full committee markup of the
CJS appropriations bill (H.R. 2799). It requires that qualifications include general
observations such as, “not all firearms used in crime are traced and not all firearms traced are
used in crime,” and “the firearms selected [for tracing] do not constitute a random sample
and should not be considered representative of the larger universe of all firearms used by
criminals, or any subset of that universe.” Similar language is part of the FY2005 CJS
appropriations bill (H.R. 4754).
Undetectable Firearms Ban. In the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-
649), Congress prohibited for 10 years the manufacture, importation, or transfer of any
firearm that could not be detected by certain screening devices, like metal detectors and x-ray
machines. This act was amended by the 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act, extending the undetectable firearms ban an additional five
years. The ban would have expired on December 10, 2003, but Congress passed a 10 year
extension of the ban (P.L. 108-174).
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Brady Act Background Checks. During the 107th Congress, the House passed a
bill to expand electronic access to disqualifying records under NICS on July 23, 2002. This
bill, “Our Lady of Peace Act” (H.R. 4757), was introduced by Representative Carolyn
McCarthy. Among other things, this proposal would (1) amend the Brady Handgun Violence
Prevention Act to require federal agencies to provide, and the Attorney General to secure,
any government records with information relevant to determining the eligibility of a person
to receive a firearm for inclusion in NICS; (2) require states to make available to the
Attorney General certain records that would disqualify persons from acquiring a firearm,
particularly those records that relate to convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic
violence and persons adjudicated as mentally defective; and (3) authorize appropriations for
grant programs to assist states, courts, and local governments in establishing or improving
such automated record systems. No further action was taken on H.R. 4757, before the 107th
Congress adjourned. In the 108th Congress, Senator Daschle has introduced the Justice
Enhancement and Domestic Security Act of 2003 (S. 22), which includes the Our Lady of
Peace Act (Title V, Subtitle B). Senator Charles Schumer introduced a similar bill (S. 1706).
Ballistic Imaging. Linking crime scenes by ballistically imaging and comparing
crime scene evidence was instrumental in the investigation of a string of shootings in the
Washington, DC, metropolitan area during the Fall of 2002. Such linkages were made by
ATF with the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), a nationally
interconnected, computer-assisted ballistics imaging system used by forensic firearm
examiners to obtain computerized images of the unique marks made on bullets and/or
cartridge cases when fired. As an investigative tool, ballistics imaging complements crime
gun tracing. Through crime gun tracing, federal investigators can assist state and local law
enforcement agencies in solving firearm-related crime by, among other things, identifying
suppliers of multiple-crime guns, and gun trafficking patterns.
Proponents of ballistic imaging believe that imaging newly manufactured and imported
firearms (prior to transfer) could significantly increase federal capacity to trace crime guns.
Related proposals are seen by some gun control opponents as the initial steps towards a
national firearms registry, which they oppose. Opponents argue further that such a ballistics
registry would serve little purpose in tracing illegally obtained firearms. At present, the
participation of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in NIBIN is restricted by
law to the ballistic images associated with crime guns only. Supporters of stronger federal
firearm regulations, many of whom may favor a national firearms registry, are likely to
support ballistically imaging newly manufactured and imported firearms.
Proposals introduced in the 108th Congress may call for ballistically imaging long guns
as well. For example, H.R. 24, introduced by Representative Xavier Becerra, would require
firearm manufactures and importers to ballistically image the cartridge and bullet of all
firearms before being transferred to licensed dealers. Similar legislation was introduced by
Representative Robert Andrews (H.R. 776) and Senator Herb Kohl (S. 469). Also, the
Justice Enhancement and Domestic Security Act of 2003 (S. 22) includes similar ballistic
imaging provisions. (For further information, see CRS Report RL31040, National Integrated
Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) for Law Enforcement
, William C. Boesman and
William J. Krouse.)
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