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|  In the wake of the tragic events at Virginia Tech in 2007, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 was passed unanimously by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Bush on January 8, 2008. This important piece of legislation authorizes funds to states to maintain and update criminal history and mental health records in NICS, making it harder for prohibited gun buyers, like the Virginia Tech gunman, to slip through the cracks of the background check system. Although this law is a step in the right direction, it is imperative that congress appropriate full funding to ensure its effective implementation nationwide. Read the coalition’s statement on the passage of this law Read the coalition's letter to congress urging full funding for the law (in PDF) View an Overview of NICS Improvement Act Funding History (in PDF) View FBI Data on Submissions by State and Federal Agencies to NICS Databases (in PDF) | |
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| Unfortunately, there are a number of states that do not have the resources or have state law barriers to update NICS records. The background check system is only as good as the information it contains. In order to prevent future tragedies, a number of states must act to changes laws and devote resources to strengthen the integrity of the background check system. Read US Attorney General Mukasey’s Remarks on NICS and State Participation Read 2006 Report on NICS Records published by US Department of Justice | |
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