Thousands of names were removed from FBI gun registry, Democrats increase call for background checks

Democrats are increasing calls for background checks in response to recent mass shootings.

An Obama-era policy change has resulted in the removal of thousands of fugitive names from the FBI’s background check system. (Source: Creative Commons)

But the left’s push for gun control has lost steam in light of the revelation that Devin Patrick Kelley, the killer in the Sutherland Springs church shooting earlier this month, should have been barred from purchasing firearms but was able to do so because Air Force officials failed to report his domestic abuse crimes to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center.

And a Washington Post report indicates that an Obama-era policy change led to the removal of thousands of fugitive names from the national criminal background check database.

The FBI narrowed its definition of a “fugitive from justice” in such a way that gun purchases can be denied only to fugitives who have crossed state lines to avoid prosecution or to avoid providing testimony during a criminal proceeding.

Devin Patrick Kelley, the Sutherland Springs church shooter, was able to purchase firearms after the Air Force failed to report his domestic abuse convictions to the FBI’s database. (Texas Department of Public Safety via AP, File).

As a result of the change, someone with an outstanding warrant who would previously have been unable to acquire a firearm can now buy one. Thousands of names have been purged from the registry.

The FBI made this modification to its “fugitive from justice” definition after a review by the Obama Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel last year. The policy went into effect in February of this year.

Now the Justice Department under Attorney General Jeff Sessions is seeking to fix cracks in the system that allow convicted criminals to legally purchase guns.

On Wednesday, Sessions directed the heads of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI to begin a full review of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Jeff Sessions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions offered a comprehensive review of the NICS background check system on Wednesday.

A Justice Department representative told CNN:

“The Justice Department is committed to working with law enforcement partners across the country to help ensure that all those who can legally be determined to be prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm be included in federal criminal databases.”

 

Although the left tried to use the tragic deaths in the Sutherland Springs church shooting as grounds for stricter gun control laws, their arguments have been largely neutered by the facts.

It isn’t our nation’s gun laws, but our administrators and bureaucrats that are deficient. The Trump administration is now working to undo problems the Obama administration created.

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