Monday, March 26, 2007 

Federal gun data are vital for tracing a firearm used in a crime. But the value of extensive, detailed information on where guns are sold and to whom goes far beyond that. The data allow cops and policy makers to quickly identify dangerous gun-running rings as well as gun dealers who don't bother to properly screen buyers. 

At least that used to be the case before 2003 when Republican handmaidens for the gun lobby began blocking the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from releasing most of the gun trace information except in very limited circumstances. 

This censorship must end. Democrats, who are now in charge of Congress, along with moderate Republicans such as Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R- 11th Dist.), must restore broad access to the gun data. This information will be a powerful aid for cities and states battling to staunch the flow of illegal guns to the streets. 

...

Frelinghuysen and other subcommittee members must take aim at the Tiahrt amendment and shoot it down. Restoring broad access to gun trace data is not gun control. It is crime control. 

© 2007 The Star Ledger