Coons, Toomey push for gun safety amendment in federal spending bill

Statement

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) filed their bipartisan NICS Denial Notification Act as an amendment to the federal spending bill that is currently pending on the Senate floor. This legislation would provide states with critical information to help them enforce existing laws that prevent prohibited individuals from purchasing firearms. Under this measure, federal authorities would now be required to alert state law enforcement within 24 hours when individuals "lie and try" to purchase firearms, which can be a warning sign of additional criminal behavior.

"We have seen too many tragic instances when an individual who should not have been able to obtain a gun used one to commit horrible crimes," said Senator Coons. "The American people have called on Congress to act, and the NICS Denial Notification Act is one commonsense step we should take. By ensuring that federal and state law enforcement can work together to prevent those who shouldn't be able to buy a gun from getting one, we can make our communities safer. This is exactly the sort of bipartisan step Congress should be able to support."

"It's a serious crime for a person who is prohibited from having a gun, such as a convicted felon, to lie about his background in an attempt to buy a gun. That is, in itself, a federal felony and it goes almost entirely unpunished now. It can also be a warning sign of future criminal behavior," said Senator Toomey. "My amendment with Senator Coons will better enforce existing gun laws and strengthen public safety by requiring the FBI to notify state law enforcement within 24 hours if a prohibited person "lies and tries' to buy a gun."

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