U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says states need to do more to beef up their efforts to feed the database used to screen gun buyers.
Speaking to a meeting of attorney generals in Atlanta, Gonzales sited the deadly rampage at Virginia Tech in April as a reason for better control of gun buyers. He said states need to provide better information on their mentally ill residents to the national crime database.
He said that only 23 states give the FBI data on those with mental illnesses that would disqualify them from buying a gun. He said that the national data base system needs more information from the states that is timely, accurate and complete.
The House of Representatives approved a measure last week that would require states to automate their lists of convicted criminals and mentally ill people who are prohibited from buying firearms. The Virginia Tech shooter had been barred from buying firearms, but the state of Virginia never forwarded the information to the national background check system.
Speaking to a meeting of attorney generals in Atlanta, Gonzales sited the deadly rampage at Virginia Tech in April as a reason for better control of gun buyers. He said states need to provide better information on their mentally ill residents to the national crime database.
He said that only 23 states give the FBI data on those with mental illnesses that would disqualify them from buying a gun. He said that the national data base system needs more information from the states that is timely, accurate and complete.
The House of Representatives approved a measure last week that would require states to automate their lists of convicted criminals and mentally ill people who are prohibited from buying firearms. The Virginia Tech shooter had been barred from buying firearms, but the state of Virginia never forwarded the information to the national background check system.
