What Is The 'Fix NICS' Bill Congress Keeps Talking About?

Beth Baumann / Townhall Notebook

Over the last several weeks, we have had legislators in Washington and at various state levels talk about how to improve background checks that are conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) when an individual purchases a firearm.

Currently, there is a bill making its way through Congress known as the Fix NICS Act of 2017, commonly referred to as "Fix NICS," that is designed to close a major hole in current federal firearms legislation.

What Would the "Fix NICS" Bill Achieve?

If passed, the "Fix NICS" bill would amend the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act and make it mandatory for all federal agencies to report criminal convictions to the Attorney General so those convictions are put into the background check system.

According to the bill, the head of each federal department or agency would have to submit convictions to the Attorney twice a year.

Convictions that took place from January 1 to June 30 would have to be submitted by July 31. Convictions that took place between July 1 and December 31 are to be submitted by January 31 of the following year.

In addition to semi-annual submissions, federal departments and agencies would be required to fill out a certification saying their records are accurate and up-to-date.

Read entire article and see video here: https://townhall.com/notebook/bethbaumann/2018/03/06/what-is-the-fix-nics-bill-congress-keeps-talking-about-n2455875