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Attorney
General John Ashcroft has announced some new methods of improving the
National Instant Check System (NICS). Unfortunately this program was
started under the Clinton Administration and is not without some serious
problems. As a result of September 11th, Ashcroft has instructed the FBI
and the Naturalization Services (INS) to check immigration records when
a non-citizen applies to purchase a firearm. If the person were in the
country illegally, then that person would be denied the purchase.
Additionally Ashcroft is seeking to streamline the response time
by increasing the percentage of final responses, thus reducing the
number of 'delay' responses that tie up the system and stop law abiding
purchasers from immediately purchasing the firearm.
He also announced $ 141 million over the next three years to be
given to the states to update and automate their files used when doing
background checks.
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