[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 199 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2667]]
                NICS IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, 
which makes a number of important improvements to the National Instant 
Criminal Background Check System. Congresswoman McCarthy and I first 
offered this legislation in 2002, when it became obvious to us that the 
NICS System was not working as Congress had intended it to. Those 
shortcomings were highlighted earlier this year when a gunman with a 
history of mental illness shot and killed 32 people and wounded many 
more. Cho Sun Hui had been adjudicated mentally ill by the state of 
Virginia, and under the law should not have been able to purchase the 
guns he used to kill his classmates. This legislation will ensure that 
individuals like Cho Sun Hui are included in the NICS database.
  This legislation will also benefit lawful gun purchasers, many of 
whom face unnecessary delays when waiting for their background check to 
be completed. For the first time since the creation of NICS, it will 
live up to its name and be both national and instant. It also benefits 
those who have been wrongfully included in the NICS database by 
providing a mechanism for petitioning the government for removal from 
the system. This is an important improvement which will strengthen the 
second amendment rights of all Americans.
  There are many people who should be thanked for their hard work on 
this bill, but I would like to take just a moment to recognize a few of 
those people. Representative Carolyn McCarthy and I have worked on NICS 
improvement legislation for a few years now and while most would say we 
are an odd pair when it comes to this particular issue, I would suggest 
we are just two legislators trying to fix a legitimate problem. I have 
tremendous respect for Representative McCarthy; it has been an honor 
and privilege to work with her. I would also like to thank Senator 
Chuck Schumer for his hard work and dedication. Also, I would like to 
extend my appreciation to Senators Craig and Hatch, as well as 
Representatives Conyers and Lamar Smith. Lastly, I would like to thank 
the National Rifle Association. The NRA's support for this legislation 
has been invaluable and is a testament to the NRA's commitment to 
passing sensible and responsible legislation to keep guns out of the 
hands of criminals and the mentally ill.

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