ARS Responds to Funding for the Criminal Background Check System in the Continuing Resolution

September 28, 2016 — Americans for Responsible Solutions, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, issued the below statement today on the passage of the continuing resolution, which maintains funding for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) at $73 million. Despite containing $1.24 billion for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), $39 million above the FY15 enacted level, the ATF continues to be severely underfunded.

STATEMENT BY AMERICANS FOR RESPONSIBLE SOLUTIONS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PETER AMBLER

“Our national background check system is only as strong as the records of the dangerous people that it contains. That’s why it’s good news that leaders from both sides of the aisle have come together to support the system that helps keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill.

“Although this bill does contain additional funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the corporate gun lobby continues to fight to ensure the ATF lacks the full financial and institutional resources it needs to address our national gun violence crisis.

“In the coming year, we hope that Congress will address these challenges and stand with the Vocal Majority of Americans who support commonsense change to close the dangerous loopholes in our nation’s gun laws and help keep guns out of the wrong hands.”