Press Release
06/13/07Third Way Endorses McCarthy-Dingell-Schumer
Washington, DC – Third Way President Jon Cowan issued the following statement in support of HR 2640, legislation to improve the National Instant Background Check System (NICS):
“Five years ago, we issued a report called Broken Records which found that the background check system used to approve or deny prospective gun buyers was deeply flawed. Nearly half of the nation’s felony records were not computerized. More than two-thirds of domestic violence misdemeanors and restraining orders were not automated or in the system. And the records of those adjudicated mentally ill simply did not exist. These gaping holes meant that stopping a prohibited buyer from acquiring a gun was a matter of happenstance. We called for legislation to make dramatic improvements in the system and we worked closely behind the scenes with gun rights supporters John Dingell and Larry Craig and gun safety advocates Chuck Schumer and Carolyn McCarthy to craft such a bill.
“Today, after many false starts, we are pleased to support a final agreement that seems destined to become law. This legislation will finally make the instant background check system true to its name – instant and accurate. It will greatly decrease the likelihood that another madman will erroneously pass a background check and commit a mass killing. It will keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. It will make America safer.
“There are those within the gun rights and gun safety movements who will oppose this legislation because it’s not perfect. In our experience, no gun legislation ever is perfect. But there is no doubt that this legislation will replace happenstance with certainty and make the background check truly accurate. And that is the true test of this bill. The NICS is the linchpin of our entire system to keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and the mentally ill. So far, it has not fulfilled its promise. With the passage of HR 2640, there is now hope for a change. We offer our unqualified support.”
Contact: Matt Bennett (202) 775-3768 x212