CHAIRMAN THOMPSON STATEMENT ON NICS FUNDING IN OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released a statement today on the $73 million included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 83) to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). In May, Thompson passed a bipartisan amendment to increase NICS funding to the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. The additional funds will be used to help states improve data submissions to NICS. The funding in the FY 2015 funding bill represents a $14.5 million increase in funding from FY 2014 levels.
"Our national criminal background check system is only as good as the data you put in it, and these funds will help make sure all the information gets into the system," said Thompson. "I applaud our appropriators for providing states with the money they need to get the most current and comprehensive data into the background check system. Having up-to-date information will help make sure criminals, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill can't get their hands on guns.
"Now we need to finish the job by expanding background checks to all commercial gun sales so these same prohibited purchasers can't bypass the NICS system altogether by going to a gun show or buying a gun online."
Currently, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the database used to determine whether or not a prospective buyer is eligible to buy a firearm, is missing information. Because of this, people who otherwise would not pass a background check can slip through the cracks and buy guns.
· A USA Today report found that in just five states, records for at least 2.5 million fugitives weren't entered into the NICS system.
· According to a report by Everytown, 12 states have still submitted fewer than 100 mental health records to the NICS system.
· According to the Department of Justice, six states have fewer than 30 total records each in the NICS system in all prohibited categories combined.
This increased funding included in the omnibus will provide states with additional resources to ensure the background check system has complete and timely information to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who should not possess guns.
In February 2013, Thompson's task force specifically recommended taking immediate action to ensure the NICS database was up-to-date. A full copy of the task force's report, including principle six, which deals with NICS, can be seen here.
Additionally, Thompson and U.S. Rep. Pete King (R-NY) are co-authors of H.R. 1565, bipartisan legislation to expand the current background check system to all commercial gun sales. Joining them are original co-authors Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Pat Meehan (R-PA), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Peter Defazio (D-OR).
The bipartisan King-Thompson legislation is identical to the bipartisan agreement on background checks struck by A-rated NRA Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA).
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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