Brady Campaign

http://bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=906
Four States Have Now Taken Steps To Strengthen Background Checks In Aftermath Of Virginia Tech
07-06-2007
Washington, D.C. - With Missouri and Maine taking steps this week to ensure that more mental health records be shared with the Federal National Instant Check System (NICS), four states have now taken action since the Virginia Tech tragedy April 16 to try to prevent dangerous individuals from purchasing firearms.

Virginia’s Governor took executive action after the tragedy to improve the amount of data shared with the Federal system on individuals deemed to be a danger to themselves or others by state courts.  Maine’s Governor took similar executive action Tuesday.  Missouri’s Governor signed a bill Tuesday directing the courts to provide more records to the state police.  And in Illinois, the state legislature has passed a bill awaiting the Governor’s signature that would similarly expand state records submitted to NICS.

“This is significant progress, but many more states need to take action as well,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.

“The states that have taken steps to ensure that dangerous individuals are stopped because of background checks deserve praise,” Helmke said.  “I still ask why only four states have taken such action?  Ever since the horrific shootings on April 16, Americans have been asking ‘what are we going to do about this?’ We’re still asking the same question now.”

Shortly after the Virginia Tech massacre, the Brady Campaign called for:
  • Every U.S. state to quickly and thoroughly review all of its procedures for entering critical mental health and other pertinent records into the Federal system;
  • The U.S. Congress to pass legislation to comprehensively and effectively apply Brady Law background checks; reduce civilian access to military weaponry that is neither for sport nor self-defense; and give law enforcement the tools and resources they need to fight gun crimes, including illegal gun trafficking and corrupt gun dealers. 
Thirty-two students and faculty were murdered in the Virginia Tech massacre on April 16.  About 80 people die in the U.S. from gunfire every day, according to data collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, including about 32 who are homicide victims.