Gun Control Legislation

Supporters of the Brady handgun control bill greeted reporters following the passage of H.R. 7, known as the Brady bill. It mandates a seven day waiting period for the purchase of a handgun, during which time the police can check to ensure the sale conforms to state and national laws. The bill passed the House in a vote of 239 to 186, after an alternative amendment known as the Staggers amendment was defeated by 41 votes. The Staggers amendment would have instituted mandatory checks on handgun purchasers via a national computer network at the time of the sale of the handgun. Rep. Schumer introduced the main players behind the bill and thanked them for their hard work lobbying for the bill. Other members, in a celebratory mood, also thanked their staffs and supporters for working toward passage of the bill, and discussed the chances for passage of the bill in the Senate. James Brady said the bill was not gun control but rather crime control, and said truth won out with the passage of th close