LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/wires/20010604/tCB00V7744.html
Monday, June 4, 2001
Gun Control Group Sues Ashcroft
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON--A gun control group filed a lawsuit Monday against
Attorney General John Ashcroft, arguing that he is illegally delaying
regulations on background checks for weapons purchases.
The Violence Policy Center alleges that Ashcroft intends to
eventually toss the regulations out.
"They are trying to sneak under the radar screen and avoid the public
scrutiny that would come if they were to do this up front," Violence
Policy Center litigation director Mathew Nosanchuk said.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington.
The Clinton administration regulation would require that records from
background checks be kept for 90 days after a handgun purchase is
attempted. The idea is to give the FBI time to check for fraud and abuse
in the system, supporters say.
But the National Rifle Association said keeping such records raises
privacy concerns. The NRA filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Janet
Reno to dispose of the records immediately after background checks are
conducted. The suit was dismissed in U.S. District Court in Washington,
but it is being appealed to the Supreme Court.
"Since when is it the federal government's business to be keeping
that kind of private information about lawful citizens?" asked NRA
spokesman Bill Powers.
Ashcroft has twice delayed putting the Clinton administration rule in
place.
Justice Department spokeswoman Susan Dryden said the delays are
allowing a thorough review of the regulation. She added that until a final
decision is made the department is adhering to the old guideline of
preserving the background check information for 180 days.
In 1998, Ashcroft, then a senator from Missouri, voted in favor of an
amendment that sought to instantly destroy background check documents. The
amendment was defeated.
Ashcroft stoked concerns last week after it was disclosed that he
wrote a letter to the NRA's chief lobbyist, Jim Baker, reaffirming his
view that an American's right to bear arms is guaranteed by the
Constitution.
"We have great concerns about Attorney General John Ashcroft's
commitment to upholding gun laws," Nosanchuk said.
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On the Net:
Violence Policy Center: http://www.vpc.org/
Justice Department: http://www.usdoj.gov
National Rifle Association: http://www.nra.org/
Copyright 2001 Los Angeles Times