Tillis, colleagues introduce legislation to ensure accurate background checks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently introduced the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act, legislation to safeguard Second Amendment rights while preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands by requiring relevant agencies and institutions to submit accurate records to the National Instant Criminal

Background Check System (NICS).

“This commonsense legislation will protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, increase the availability of records to NICS to ensure those suffering from mental illness receive the care they need and help law enforcement stop dangerous criminals,” said Senator Tillis. “Empowering law enforcement and ensuring NICS has access to relevant records and data will save lives and make our communities safer.”

Background:

The Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act takes concrete steps to improve NICS, address mental health concerns pertaining to firearms purchases and bolster alerts to law enforcement.

Specifically, this Congress’ version of the legislation would:

Improve recordkeeping by ensuring states submit relevant mental health records to NICS.

Enhance accountability by directing federal agencies to annually report to Congress on the number and description of records they submit to NICS; and requiring the Justice Department to explain to Congress why it has or has not been prosecuting gun cases.

Preserve the Second Amendment by strengthening protections for veterans and establishing guardrails for Fast & Furious type operations by the Justice Department.

Prioritize public safety by requiring federal and state officials to coordinate on gun law enforcement; and increasing the statutory maximum sentence for lying and buying firearms.

Support research and information availability by commissioning a study from the National Institute of Justice and National Academy of Sciences on the causes of mass shootings.

Crack down on crossborder gun smuggling by enhancing resources to fight firearms trafficking at no additional cost to the taxpayer.