Thursday, April 19, 2007
THE RECORD EDITORIAL

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The Tiahrt Amendment, named after Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas, restricts the release of gun source data to cities and their law enforcement agencies. If the city of Paterson wanted to know where all the guns used in crimes in Paterson originated, it would be denied access to comprehensive data. Identifying where illegal guns are coming from is needed to stanch the flow of weapons. The other co-chair of the mayors' coalition, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, said: "Sixty percent of illegal guns in Boston come from someplace else."

Congress should not be impeding law enforcement efforts to make America safer.

As Bloomberg stated, repealing the Tiahrt Amendment has nothing to do with the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, or even an attempt by the mayors to change the gun control laws of other states. The coalition of mayors wants the right to enforce existing laws, and knowing where illegal sales of firearms are occurring is a vital tool.

A key player in this debate is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-Harding. He is the ranking minority member on the House appropriations subcommittee that controls the amendment. The Tiahrt Amendment is tacked on to an appropriations bill; it is not a stand-alone piece of legislation. It is not an uncommon tactic to get controversial legislation through Congress. Although Frelinghuysen has voted against the Tiahrt Amendment, according to the coalition of mayors, in recent years he switched positions.

In a written statement on Wednesday, Frelinghuysen said: "I am against the Tiahrt Amendment in whatever venue -- in committee or on the House floor. I remain committed to ensuring that police and prosecutors have access to all data they need to successfully prosecute crimes."

That's good news...