A Victory For The Families Of Virginia Tech, And For Common-Sense Gun Control

Wednesday night, the U.S. Congress approved by "unanimous consent" a bill that CBS News called "the first major new gun control bill in more than a decade," and the Washington Post called "the most significant gun-control legislation since the early 1990s."

Passage of H.R. 2640, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 [pdf], is a major victory for the families and survivors of the Virginia Tech shooting, and for all who support common-sense gun laws. This bill gives the states financial incentives to supply more records of more prohibited purchasers to NICS - the Brady background check system for gun buyers.

The Virginia Tech shooter - determined by a judge to be a danger to himself due to mental illness - was allowed to walk out of two gun stores armed with semi-automatic pistols and high-capacity ammunition magazines even though he should have been flagged as a "prohibited purchaser." If the Commonwealth of Virginia had sent his records to NICS, he would have been denied guns at the point of purchase - and the 32 people he murdered might still be alive today.

Brady background checks have stopped an estimated 1.4 million people from legally buying guns since 1994, but those background checks are still only as good as the records in the system. These records include the dangerously mentally ill, felons and domestic abusers, among others. At present, only an estimated 10-20% of the records of the dangerously mentally ill are in the Brady background check system. Amazingly enough, a quarter of felony records have yet to be added to the system. This is unacceptable.

Survivors and surviving family members of the Virginia Tech massacre fought to make the Brady background check better, and their efforts have been vindicated by this bill's passage.

Convicted felons should not be allowed to buy guns. Neither should the dangerously mentally ill or domestic abusers. Dangerous people should not have easy access to dangerous weapons.

This bill - now awaiting the President's signature - should lead to a significant increase in submitted records over current levels and help prevent future tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. This is common-sense gun control legislation that the vast majority of Americans can support. (See also yesterday's statement by "Mayors Against Illegal Guns.")

I am gratified that Congress passed this legislation, and I encourage the President to sign it at his first opportunity.

(Note to readers: This entry, along with past entries, has been co-posted on bradycampaign.org/blog and the Huffington Post.)

Comments

[mike101]

The "DC vs Individual Liberty" (Heller) brief has been released.

http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/uncategorized/petitioners-brief-in-dc-guns-case-now-available/

Basically, they are misinterpreting the 2nd Amendment to fit their agenda. They are claiming that the 2nd Amendment "grants" the right to keep and bear arms, only to "state organized militias". Since DC is not a state, they are claiming that 2A doesn't apply to them.

They are failing to recognize that 2A does not "grant" anything. It merely recognizes and guarantees a previously existing right.

They are also ignoring the fact that our Bill of Rights is based on the English Bill of Rights, which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms for "personal defense", among other things.

The Right to Keep and Bear Arms has been our individual right ever since the first English settler set foot in Jamestown in 1607.

I'm not surprised by any of this, since the anti-rights movement's general lack of knowledge regarding history is pretty well known, at this point.

[mike101]

Speaking of cities with gun bans, Thursday night's episode of 'Gangland', on the History Channel, was all about Cabrini Green. This is the notorious public housing project on Chicago's north side that I have mentioned a few times here.

Cabrini is run by gangs. The current gang in charge is the Gangster Desciples.

Actually, they are more than gangs. They are organized criminals, running drugs and making lots of money. They make enough to move out of Cabrini Green, but they don't seem to want to. And they ALL have guns.

I forget the exact number quoted, but several hundred people have been shot at CG over the last couple of decades. Hundreds.

In Chicago and DC, only the law abiding have a problem obtaining weapons, and apparently that's how the BC likes it.

[molonlabe]

sorry, here's the link....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/31/AR2007123102329.html

[molonlabe]

Nice "unbiased" article here from the WaPo showing that homicides are up in DC for 2007. Notice how many times the author mentions the word "gun."

Sounds like this article was part of the Heller brief.

I love the assertion that the anti's in DC use that if they DIDN'T have a gun ban, homicide would be worse!

If it's that bad in DC, maybe you have to start looking at who's in charge there???

[DMeadows]

Of course this is common sense! It focuses tightly on an actual problem rather than overreaching into law-abiding people's gun rights. Plus, it does the right thing with respect to due process and funds successful appeals for people wrongfully entered into the database.

Hopefully, this is a learning experience for the Brady Campaign and some anti-gun folks. Unfortunately, it seems the lesson is lost on many anti-gun people and organizations, who've drank deeply of their kool-aid and whose blind ideology cause them to view this negatively. Seems, if it ain't banning guns it ain't good enough.

[Melodyl]

Dear Paul/Brady Campaign ~

As usual I came here looking for a laugh and was not disappointed. The drooling mindless bantering of the rabid Brady Bunch supporters, regardless of how lacking in merit their arguments are, but never fails to entertain.

The Anti Gun rights crowd ~ will continue to devalue truth and reason, resorting to lies and hysteria to propagate fear of inanimate machines.

Looking forward to Paul Helmke's lie filled propaganda as well a Paul and his followers getting their butts handed to them in 08. And a very happy, safe New Year to those in gun ownership and freedom advocacy.

Many thanks,

~Melody~

[1will]

According to Helmke 1.4 million people have been stopped from buying guns due to the Brady background checks.
My question is how many of these people have been picked up for illegaly trying to buy a gun?
Janet Reno gave a speech during the Clinton years praising the Brady Law and gushing over how over 150,000 people had been prevented from buying guns by the background checks. Only about 17 had been arrested at that time.

[molonlabe]

OT, but....

Anyone else notice that on the Brady Campaign web site, they removed the link to stopthenra.com?

I guess they're finally realizing that in order to pass even the most "vanilla" of their gun control legislation, they HAVE to workwiththenra.com.

Now THAT truly is "common sense!"

[benEzra]

I'm one of those gun owners who supported this bill. It does not change the criteria under which someone is disqualified from owning a gun; it just improves reporting of those with criminal records and adjudications of mental incompetence to NICS, which I don't have a problem with.

Note to the BC--if you are looking for common ground, that's where to find it, rather than trying to further limit lawful and responsible gun ownership. The bedrock of that common ground is, NOBODY wants to see criminals misusing any guns. People who hurt other people piss me off just as much as they piss you off, and we all agree that criminals and those adjudicated mentally incompetent shouldn't have them.

The disagreement comes in when people on your side of the issue decide to slap sweeping restrictions (AWB, handgun bans, pre-1861 capacity limits, home access limitations, elites-only carry licensure, etc.) on the innocent, using criminal violence as a pretext, and we respond by opposing all new restrictions to avoid having wrongheaded restrictions slapped on the good guys.

If you'd stop trying to turn the U.S. into a UK- or Australia-style gun-banning dystopia, and focus your efforts narrowly on gun *MIS*use instead of limiting the rights of the lawful and responsible, attacking the right to self-defense, and outlawing popular civilian guns, then you'd be in a lot better shape, IMO.

benEzra

[Thirdpower]

Rep Dingell, the author of the bill on HR 2640:

Lastly, I would like to thank the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA"s support for this legislation has been invaluable and is a testament to the NRA"s commitment to passing sensible and responsible legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill."

Odd. No mention of the BC.

[shedances]

Dear Paul/Brady Campaign ~

Though they will certainly keep trying ... don't allow the progun crowd to take anything away from this news/accomplishment!

As you good folk already know, they will continue to try & dominate 'talk' here & elsewhere. One of the common ways that people who fear losing power in an issue will attempt to maintain control over others who disagree with them, is through demoralization &/or ridicule. They hope to silence their critics by putting them down repeatedly ~ and, as nastily as possible. And this is, in part, why I recommend to anyone who's as sick and tired as I am, of hearing about more bloodshed from gun rampages/killings in our country ... to simply ignore the guncrowd's badgering & unhelpful comments. I doubt, they'll ever move beyond such medieval tactics ~ or thinking.

As the saying goes, the quality of a society may be seen by how it treats its lesser-privileged members. And, if we judge our own society by the way in which this group in particular ~ gunrights crowd ~ is willing to devalue gun violence victims' experiences & wishes (along with an apparent willingness to sacrifice everyone's safety & best interests in order to push for more guns, etc.), then we are arrested in our progress as a more humane (eg., 'civilized') society. In the coming year, I am hopeful there will be continued strong efforts to curtail both gun violence & the flawed political agenda of the guncrowd/gun lobby ... as no good can come, I believe, from following their dictates on firearms & human safety/welfare.

Take care, Brady Campaign ... Looking forward to Paul Helmke's important writings & blog discussions in '08. And a very happy, safe New Year to those in gun control advocacy.

Many thanks,

Kelli

[mike101]

Merry Christmas to all...........and to all, a good night.

[mike101]

"I would also add, that they are a huge embarrassment to concerned, decent Americans"

You know, coming from you that's actually funny.

So, how about Wyatt Earp? Got any stories about Wyatt Earp?

[dragn1]

I would have to say as I have to the NRA this is a knife in the back of the service people who have shed blood for us. Although it gives them a way to get off the list I think it also makes it easier for them seeking help from PTSD to get on it and that is a shame.

[arsbadmojo]

I see you neglected that this bill had the full support of the NRA. And I think we both know where this bill would have gone without it.

So yeah, congratulations on this victory.

For the record, I do think this was a good bill.

[shedances]

Typo in last sentence... "there are" not "they are."

Outta here for now.

K

[shedances]

Paul ~

Ignore the gunboys nonsense.

They are probably very jealous of such an important accomplishment for necessary gun control efforts (and no doubt, very angry too).

They've never shown any real desire to help in this issue; and have become part of the problem we face in our society, IMHO. I would also add, that they are a huge embarrassment to concerned, decent Americans ~ of which they are, thankfully, a great MANY.

Best wishes to all of you at the BC & Congrats,

Kelli

[MichaelHawkins]

So, they're calling it the most significant gun control victory in the last decade, and it only passed AFTER you cut a deal with the NRA, interesting.

Either way, I'm glad this bill passed, maybe it'll right some wrongs.

I also hope that the past events will teach you some humility, Paul.

[dreamsmasher]

If he was intent on carrying out what he did Cho would have found his weapons even with these new "common sense gun laws".

Everyone said that if Texas became a right to carry state this would revert back to the old west with shootouts at the strike of twelve but to the contrary, Texas did not revert to "the old west" as predicted instead things like bank robberies have dropped due to criminals fear of walking into a situation of being out gunned.

If these gun control laws are so great then please explain how it is that the city of New York which has probably the toughest gun laws in the country can be so crime infested involving crimes of aggrivation in which guns are used?

The criminals will get the guns no matter what "laws" we pass, instead we, the law abiding members of society, will be punished and forced to be lambs in front of criminals that have no respect for the sanctity of life. I for one totally agree with the views of Ted Nugent, why don't you youtube Nugent and get his take on this issue? Nugents views make a lot more sense than what is coming out of our legislators mouthes.

[MSorgy]

Paul:

Did you notice that Digell thanked the NRA but did not mention the Brady Campaign? I guess that shows how impotent the BC is these days.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi15_dingell/PR071219nics.shtml

Start really talking with us, Paul. It is the only way you will accomplish anything.

Michael

[SnowflakesInHell]

I'm sure all those concessions you had to make to the NRA to get them to support the bill had to hurt.

For a list of them, see here:

http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2202

Of course, the Brady Campaign is also hoping you all will forget they (back when they were called Handgun Control Inc) fought the National Instant Check System being included in the Brady Act, because they were to supplant their preferred method of gun control, which was making everyone wait a period of time before they could purchase a gun. Cho purchased his firearms over a two month period, and wasn't affected in the least by Virginia's one-gun-a-month law, which the Brady Campaign also fought for.

[Thirdpower2]

So what Paul is now saying is that the VPC does not support "common-sense" gun control?

Are all "convicted felons" dangerous?

http://www.examiner.com/a-1061624~Judge_OKs_Hustler_lawyer_in_Staunton_obscenity_case.html