June 20, 2007

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Predictably, then, the pro-gun lobby is fighting attempts to repeal the Tiahrt amendment, scheduled for a vote in Congress this week.

The amendment restricts the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from sharing full gun trace information with local police on guns used to commit crimes. It's time to get rid of this affront to both reason and law enforcement. Consider this maddening example: A gun is recovered at a murder scene. The police can get trace information on who purchased the gun, when, and from where. But they cannot request information on whether that owner has purchased other guns that were used in a crime, or where those guns might have been purchased. For example, if they wwere all from the same dealer, it might suggest the dealer is a trafficker. The original rationale for the amendment was to prevent states from bringing lawsuits against gun manufacturers. But that has since been taken care of by another law that prevents such lawsuits.

If you're a law-abiding gun owner, why shouldn't this repeal make sense? If you're a legitimate gun dealer, don't you want the bad ones identified? Gun crime information is one of the few tools cities like ours have in being able to nail illegal dealers and buyers. Tell Congress, including Rep. Chaka Fattah, who sits on the appropriations committee overseeing this vote, that we should not tie the hands of those who are trying to protect us from criminals. Especially in the name of those who continue to hide behind the American flag.*