For more information, contact:
The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation
Tel. (301) 589-6020
Fax (301) 589-5056

WASHINGTON -- The data released Sunday by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on presale handgun checks show that 2.7% of prospective gun purchasers nationwide were disqualified from buying guns in 1997. In three states more than 5% of potential buyers were rejected.

"Before the Brady Bill passed in 1993, guns were sold on the 'honor system.' If you were a convicted felon or mentally deranged, you were expected to check the box on a form so the dealer wouldn't sell to you. There was no check before or after the gun was sold. The Brady Bill ended the 'honor system' for selling guns to criminals, drug addicts, the deranged and fugitives from justice. That's common sense," said Eric E. Sterling, President of The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation. In the 1980s, Sterling was counsel to the House Judiciary Committee responsible for federal firearms laws when the Brady Bill was first developed.

"The BJS data show the Brady Bill is working and demonstrate the absurdity of an 'honor system' for selling firearms," he added.

Before the Brady Act took effect in 1994, The Criminal Justice Policy Foundation studied presale firearms checks in states and municipalities around the nation and made recommendations to the Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury.