Tuesday, May 15, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: NANCY IVES (MCCAIN) 202-224-7130 LESLIE PHILLIPS (LIEBERMAN) 202-224-0384

McCain, Lieberman Push to Close Gun Show Loophole and Strengthen Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) today introduced a bill that would stop criminals from evading background checks at gun shows and strengthen law enforcement. The bill would require background checks at all gun shows where at least 75 guns are sold, encourage states to modernize and automate their criminal history records and enforce gun laws already signed into law.

"Despite the tragic lessons we have learned, it is still far too easy for a convicted felon to buy firearms at a gun show," Senator McCain said. "I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns, and I have steadfastly fought for those rights for many years. But with rights come responsibilities."

The "Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001" would make all background checks faster and more accurate in states where a rapid check will not let criminals and other prohibited buyers get guns. After three years, states may reduce background checks between private buyers and sellers at gun shows to 24 hours, once the U.S. Attorney General has certified that its records are sufficiently automated. The bill also adds new penalties for those who lie or illegally evade a background check.

"Reaching accord on how to reduce gun crimes has divided Congress for far too long, unfortunately, at the expense of so many good citizens who have found themselves at the wrong end of a gun," Lieberman said.

"There are many areas of agreement between us and the administration and between us and every other member of Congress. We all agree that the laws on the books should be enforced, and we all agree that convicted felons shouldn't be able to get guns," Lieberman said. "The bill we are introducing today would write both of those principles into law."

In order to strengthen enforcement, the McCain-Lieberman bill would provide approximately $218 million in funding for new federal law enforcement, including ATF agents, gun crime prosecutors, Project EXILE, and "smart gun" technology. The bill would also require special licensees who conduct background checks at gun shows to maintain the same records that licensed gun stores keep, but it does not require private buyers or sellers to keep records.

(Detailed Summary Below)

The McCain-Lieberman Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001

Requiring background checks at all gun shows and public events where at least 75 guns are available for sale; Encouraging states to modernize and automate their criminal history records; Making background checks faster and more accurate in states which certify that a rapid check will not let criminals get guns; Strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties for criminals who lie on background checks; Authorizes more funding to state and local governments to hire new gun crime prosecutors and to promote Project EXILE in reducing gun crime.

A Common Sense Definition of a Gun Show

Eliminates the confusing definition of previous bills and simply defines a gun show as any event where at least 75 guns are available for sale; and Corrects a flaw in previous bills and explicitly excludes either the sale of a gun out of a person's private residence or the sale to immediate family members, from background checks.

Instant Checks at Gun Shows

For the first 3 years, the bill requires a complete criminal history background check for all sales at gun shows and allows for a full 3 business days to complete the check; After 3 years, states may reduce background checks between private buyers and sellers at gun shows to 24 hours once it has certified to the Attorney General that its records are sufficiently automated to keep criminals from getting guns; and Authorizes funding for states to improve their criminal history records to make background checks faster and more accurate than they are now.

Strengthening Enforcement and Anti-Gun Trafficking Efforts Without Onerous Paperwork

Adds new penalties for those who lie or illegally evade a background check; and Requires special licensees who conduct background checks to maintain the same records that licensed gun stores keep, but does not require private buyers or sellers to keep records.

Enhancing Gun Law Enforcement

Authorizes $150 million for grants to state and local governments to hire new gun crime prosecutors; Authorizes $20 million for more Assistant U.S. Attorneys to increase federal prosecution of gun crimes and to promote Project EXILE; Authorizes $18 million for 200 more ATF agents; Authorizes $20 million for additional ATF funding to trace crime guns and expand the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative to 250 cities; and Authorizes $10 million for National Institute for Justice to make grants for research into new "smart gun" technologies.