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The McCain-Lieberman Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement bill would stop criminals from evading background checks while respecting the rights of individuals who want to attend and purchase firearms at gun shows. The bill's highlights include:
· Requiring background checks at all gun shows and public events where at least 75 guns are available for sale;
· Giving States resources to computerize their criminal history records (which will make all gun background checks faster and easier);
· Strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties for criminals who lie on background checks;
· Beefing up Project Exile, providing more money for Federal, State and Local gun crime investigators and prosecutors, and improving gun tracing techniques and smart gun technology.
A Common Sense Definition of a Gun Show
· McCain-Lieberman eliminates the confusing definition of previous bills and defines a gun show as any event where at least 75 guns are available for sale.
· The bill corrects a flaw in previous bills and excludes from background checks the sale of a gun either from the seller's home or to an immediate family member.
Instant Checks at Gun Shows
· For the first 3 years, McCain-Lieberman allows for a full 3 business days to complete the background check at gun shows.
· After 3 years, states may reduce background checks between private buyers and sellers at gun shows to 24 hours, once DoJ has certified that its records are sufficiently automated to prevent prohibited buyers from buying guns.
· It also 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 No Onerous Paperwork
· McCain-Lieberman adds new penalties for those who lie or illegally evade a background check.
· It adds funding for new federal law enforcement, Project Exile, and smart gun technology.
· It requires 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.
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