FBI Curbed In Tracking Gun Buyers Brady Law Policy Foils Watch List

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54498-2003Nov17.html

The FBI has launched a new background-check system that notifies counterterrorism agents when suspects on its terrorist watch list attempt to buy guns, but regulations prohibit those officials from obtaining details if the transaction occurs, according to federal officials familiar with the system.

If the purchase is blocked, however, the FBI is permitted to investigate the person who attempted to buy the weapon.

The result, according to the officials, is an awkward situation in which terrorism suspects who do not complete gun purchases may be located but those toting lawfully purchased weapons may not be sought.

More than a dozen suspects on the FBI's terrorist watch list have attempted to buy guns since the system was implemented this spring, officials said. Authorities have declined to say how many succeeded.

The rules are the result of Attorney General John D. Ashcroft's interpretation of the Brady gun-control law, according to Justice Department officials, who said they are simply abiding by the federal firearms background-check system the statute established. The law bars authorities from sharing information with investigators about legal gun buyers and does not prohibit terrorism suspects from buying firearms, officials said.

[Frangible]

1. well

Should people who haven't committed crimes be barred from owning weapons?

Who defines "terrorist suspect"?

Is one of those goddamn liberal unamerican commie peace protester a "terrorist suspect"? Cause I've heard people say they are...

Sorry, just seems like a messy slippery slope to me. I'm sick and tired of losing more rights and privacy to the "WAR ON TERROR".

Maybe if we didn't bomb the fuck out of them, they wouldn't hate us? Just a thought.

[MrBenchley]

2. Koresh forbid gun industry profits suffer

just because a few soreheads think terrorists aren't transformed into "law-abiding responsible gun owners" the second they purchase a gun.

What a scumbag AshKKKroft is.

[madddog]

3. Well

the problem is that these people haven't broken any laws...now you call ashcroft a scumbag, but would you prefer to see anyone on "the list", who has YET to be charged with a crime, denied their other Constitutional rights as well?

Suppose he puts you on that list...you may not care about the 2nd amendment, but I'm sure you care about the others...would you gladly give those up just because Ashcroft puts your name on that list?

[lostnfound]

4. Somewhat indifferent about 2nd amendment, but the hypocrisy is infuriating

Check a book out of the library? Ashcroft wants to know it all.
Buy a gun? Ashcroft wants to keep it all secret.

[truthisfreedom]

5. ok, they win. it's the last free act we can commit here. let's buy GUNS!

when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. if things keep going like this, all of the rethugs will be armed.