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America's Fading Military-Industrial Base
By KERRI HOUSTON | Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 4:30 PM PT
History dictates that protecting and maintaining a nation's industrial base is critical to its national security and to winning wars. This is why taking out an enemy's manufacturing infrastructure, as America did to Germany and Japan during World War II, is the first step in rendering it defenseless.
Yet today in America, despite the menace of terrorism and threats from assorted despots around the globe, we are neglecting — and in some cases damaging — our own military industrial base.
America has shed 3 million manufacturing jobs since 2001, many in our military supply chain. The average age of today's factory worker is 54, and 58% of all U.S. aerospace workers are over 45.
Nationwide, officials in defense companies are expressing concern that they will not be able to replace current workers as they retire.
As we lose infrastructure and skilled labor necessary to supply our military swiftly with U.S.-made equipment, we are becoming increasingly reliant on military components and materials from foreign countries.
Chinese Bullets
Although several congressional acts require the Pentagon to purchase equipment and supplies from domestic sources, the Government Accountability Office repeatedly reports "systemic supply system deficiencies" in nearly all military supply categories.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne says, "I worry about the industrial base of the future," and the Pentagon has developed a Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materials Shortages system to identify domestic material and manufacturing scarcities.
When ammunition procurement budgets were cut dramatically in the 1990s, many domestic suppliers were forced out of business. Defense officials began looking to foreign sources — including China — for bullets and missile propellant.
Domestic sources of armored steel for military vehicles are limited, and today's soldiers often suffer as producers struggle to keep up with demand. As the Defense Department rushes to purchase mine-resistant vehicles, a shortage of materials and manufacturing is hampering the rate at which these badly needed vehicles are deployed.
Against this backdrop of declining materials, manpower and manufacturing in our military industrial base, the Pentagon has outsourced a $35 billion contract to design and manufacture the Air Force's new airborne refueling tankers to a European consortium and its minority American partner, Northrop Grumman. The extended contract could well exceed $100 billion taxpayer dollars.
What few Americans know about this contractor — European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. — is its history of bribery and corruption, and that its top officials are involved in a major insider-trading scandal in France.
Then there are EADS trade violations. At the same time the Pentagon awarded EADS this multibillion-dollar contract, the U.S. trade representative was suing it in the World Trade Organization in the largest illegal-subsidy case every presented in that world body.
American policy is increasingly concerned about the transfer of our advanced military technologies to hostile governments, yet EADS is widely reported to have close relationships with the governments of Iran and Venezuela. As Russia is a significant EADS stockholder, America should clearly not expect a sympathetic ear.
The original Pentagon Request for Proposal called for a midsize refueling tanker, agile in the air, able to take off and land on less than ideal runways (dirt, desert), with a small ground footprint and whose core competency is midair refueling.
But using a refueling tanker the size of EADS' K-30 to fill these requirements is like putting Mike Tyson in a tutu and expecting him to dance "Swan Lake." EADS is supplying an airplane twice the size of the original Pentagon request, too big to maneuver easily in the air or to take off and land on anything but a long, paved runway. Its wingspan is so wide, it will also require costly upgrades to existing bases.
Made In The U.S.
The EADS plane is not capable of refueling tilt-rotor aircraft or some of our cargo and personnel carriers.
And in direct contradiction to the Air Force's initial statement that it must be a "tanker first," the Pentagon justified its final decision by touting the KC-30's ability to carry cargo, taking care to note that domestic production was "not considered."
Why did the specs change in the middle of the game? We must wait for further review, but during the course of the bidding process, it appears that Sen. John McCain requested that the Pentagon change its specifications.
The result of the changes seems clear enough: Rather than the EADS proposal seeking to meet the Air Force's criteria, the Air Force's criteria were apparently adjusted to meet the EADS proposal.
The tanker deal is not about one plane or one moment in time. If we are to retain our military superiority at home and abroad, we must maintain the ability to manufacture original equipment and replacement parts in the U.S.
Needlessly sending defense jobs overseas will do nothing to ensure our long-term national security, which history shows will require a robust research and development, technical and manufacturing base.
Houston is senior vice president for policy at the Institute for Liberty. She served as a commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
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Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hasty US Exit from Iraq a Danger
Hasty US Exit from Iraq a Danger, Iraqi Minister Says
By Penny Starr
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
May 08, 2008
Washington (CNSNews.com) - A quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would endanger not only Iraq but the entire Middle East, Fawzi Hariri, Iraq's minister of industry, warned on Wednesday. Some congressional Democrats are pressing for an immediate troop withdrawal, and both Democratic presidential hopefuls have said it's time to bring the troops home.
"The removal of (U.S.) forces, especially in a fast and quick way, will not only put Iraq in danger, but it will put the whole region in danger," Hariri said at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "I don't believe even some of the most outspoken regional countries that are anti-U.S.-presence-in-Iraq will accept a quick and fast withdrawal of the U.S. forces."
Hariri joined with Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Paul Brinkley to announce successes in the ongoing efforts to establish a flourishing economy in Iraq -- a key element, they said, to a lasting peace and a stable government in the country. Brinkley heads the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.
"(The economy) is critical to the Department of Defense and the overall mission in Iraq," Brinkley said. "It is the element of stability ... that will enable normal life to take hold and will enable us as we draw down our presence in Iraq to leave behind a stable and prosperous country."
Hariri said rapid troop withdrawal would have a significant impact on the stability needed in Iraq to continue economic progress.
"Clearly, as it stands now (in) its military capacity, (Iraq) is unable to sustain any foreign intervention on its own," Hariri said.
Brinkley said that his task force has embedded business experts with U.S. troops in every region of the country over the last two years, resulting in significant job creation.
"The results we're going to announce today are (that) the task force has restored employment and support, in partnership with the Iraqi government, to over 100,000 people," Brinkley said. "These are not temporary jobs. These are sustained, professional, manufacturing jobs."
Working with the task force, the Iraqi government is privatizing state-owned industry to operate in a free-market economy. The task force also is helping the economy in Iraq by awarding contracts to local businesses, with 3,900 businesses receiving more than $1 billion in contracts since 2006, when the task force was formed.
Brinkley said international companies are beginning to set up manufacturing operations in Iraq, including Daimler AG and Caterpillar.
A strong economy in Iraq also will strengthen the U.S. economy, said Brinkley, who cited a $2 billion contract Boeing recently signed with the Iraqi government to build 40 commercial aircraft.
"These aircraft are going to be manufactured in Washington state, creating American jobs," Brinkley said. "When the Iraqi economy gets on its feet it will begin to consume its own goods, its own services, and the beneficial relationships that will take hold between the United States and other countries and Iraq will create employment here, in addition to in Iraq."
Brinkley said building a flourishing economy also is important to a significant portion of the more than 26 million Iraqi citizens.
"Roughly 50 percent of the population ... are under the age of 15," Brinkley said. "Economic development in Iraq is critical, not in the immediate term, but in the long term. There has to be a vibrant economy in place to absorb that young population who are going to grow up and expect a better life."
Congress has appropriated $50 million to revitalize the Iraqi economy in its 2007 supplemental budget. Hariri said the Iraqi government is also investing billions to rebuild its economy, including $5 billion targeted for job creation.
By Penny Starr
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
May 08, 2008
Washington (CNSNews.com) - A quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would endanger not only Iraq but the entire Middle East, Fawzi Hariri, Iraq's minister of industry, warned on Wednesday. Some congressional Democrats are pressing for an immediate troop withdrawal, and both Democratic presidential hopefuls have said it's time to bring the troops home.
"The removal of (U.S.) forces, especially in a fast and quick way, will not only put Iraq in danger, but it will put the whole region in danger," Hariri said at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "I don't believe even some of the most outspoken regional countries that are anti-U.S.-presence-in-Iraq will accept a quick and fast withdrawal of the U.S. forces."
Hariri joined with Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Paul Brinkley to announce successes in the ongoing efforts to establish a flourishing economy in Iraq -- a key element, they said, to a lasting peace and a stable government in the country. Brinkley heads the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.
"(The economy) is critical to the Department of Defense and the overall mission in Iraq," Brinkley said. "It is the element of stability ... that will enable normal life to take hold and will enable us as we draw down our presence in Iraq to leave behind a stable and prosperous country."
Hariri said rapid troop withdrawal would have a significant impact on the stability needed in Iraq to continue economic progress.
"Clearly, as it stands now (in) its military capacity, (Iraq) is unable to sustain any foreign intervention on its own," Hariri said.
Brinkley said that his task force has embedded business experts with U.S. troops in every region of the country over the last two years, resulting in significant job creation.
"The results we're going to announce today are (that) the task force has restored employment and support, in partnership with the Iraqi government, to over 100,000 people," Brinkley said. "These are not temporary jobs. These are sustained, professional, manufacturing jobs."
Working with the task force, the Iraqi government is privatizing state-owned industry to operate in a free-market economy. The task force also is helping the economy in Iraq by awarding contracts to local businesses, with 3,900 businesses receiving more than $1 billion in contracts since 2006, when the task force was formed.
Brinkley said international companies are beginning to set up manufacturing operations in Iraq, including Daimler AG and Caterpillar.
A strong economy in Iraq also will strengthen the U.S. economy, said Brinkley, who cited a $2 billion contract Boeing recently signed with the Iraqi government to build 40 commercial aircraft.
"These aircraft are going to be manufactured in Washington state, creating American jobs," Brinkley said. "When the Iraqi economy gets on its feet it will begin to consume its own goods, its own services, and the beneficial relationships that will take hold between the United States and other countries and Iraq will create employment here, in addition to in Iraq."
Brinkley said building a flourishing economy also is important to a significant portion of the more than 26 million Iraqi citizens.
"Roughly 50 percent of the population ... are under the age of 15," Brinkley said. "Economic development in Iraq is critical, not in the immediate term, but in the long term. There has to be a vibrant economy in place to absorb that young population who are going to grow up and expect a better life."
Congress has appropriated $50 million to revitalize the Iraqi economy in its 2007 supplemental budget. Hariri said the Iraqi government is also investing billions to rebuild its economy, including $5 billion targeted for job creation.
Hasty US Exit from Iraq a Danger
Hasty US Exit from Iraq a Danger, Iraqi Minister Says
By Penny Starr
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
May 08, 2008
Washington (CNSNews.com) - A quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would endanger not only Iraq but the entire Middle East, Fawzi Hariri, Iraq's minister of industry, warned on Wednesday. Some congressional Democrats are pressing for an immediate troop withdrawal, and both Democratic presidential hopefuls have said it's time to bring the troops home.
"The removal of (U.S.) forces, especially in a fast and quick way, will not only put Iraq in danger, but it will put the whole region in danger," Hariri said at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "I don't believe even some of the most outspoken regional countries that are anti-U.S.-presence-in-Iraq will accept a quick and fast withdrawal of the U.S. forces."
Hariri joined with Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Paul Brinkley to announce successes in the ongoing efforts to establish a flourishing economy in Iraq -- a key element, they said, to a lasting peace and a stable government in the country. Brinkley heads the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.
"(The economy) is critical to the Department of Defense and the overall mission in Iraq," Brinkley said. "It is the element of stability ... that will enable normal life to take hold and will enable us as we draw down our presence in Iraq to leave behind a stable and prosperous country."
Hariri said rapid troop withdrawal would have a significant impact on the stability needed in Iraq to continue economic progress.
"Clearly, as it stands now (in) its military capacity, (Iraq) is unable to sustain any foreign intervention on its own," Hariri said.
Brinkley said that his task force has embedded business experts with U.S. troops in every region of the country over the last two years, resulting in significant job creation.
"The results we're going to announce today are (that) the task force has restored employment and support, in partnership with the Iraqi government, to over 100,000 people," Brinkley said. "These are not temporary jobs. These are sustained, professional, manufacturing jobs."
Working with the task force, the Iraqi government is privatizing state-owned industry to operate in a free-market economy. The task force also is helping the economy in Iraq by awarding contracts to local businesses, with 3,900 businesses receiving more than $1 billion in contracts since 2006, when the task force was formed.
Brinkley said international companies are beginning to set up manufacturing operations in Iraq, including Daimler AG and Caterpillar.
A strong economy in Iraq also will strengthen the U.S. economy, said Brinkley, who cited a $2 billion contract Boeing recently signed with the Iraqi government to build 40 commercial aircraft.
"These aircraft are going to be manufactured in Washington state, creating American jobs," Brinkley said. "When the Iraqi economy gets on its feet it will begin to consume its own goods, its own services, and the beneficial relationships that will take hold between the United States and other countries and Iraq will create employment here, in addition to in Iraq."
Brinkley said building a flourishing economy also is important to a significant portion of the more than 26 million Iraqi citizens.
"Roughly 50 percent of the population ... are under the age of 15," Brinkley said. "Economic development in Iraq is critical, not in the immediate term, but in the long term. There has to be a vibrant economy in place to absorb that young population who are going to grow up and expect a better life."
Congress has appropriated $50 million to revitalize the Iraqi economy in its 2007 supplemental budget. Hariri said the Iraqi government is also investing billions to rebuild its economy, including $5 billion targeted for job creation.
By Penny Starr
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
May 08, 2008
Washington (CNSNews.com) - A quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would endanger not only Iraq but the entire Middle East, Fawzi Hariri, Iraq's minister of industry, warned on Wednesday. Some congressional Democrats are pressing for an immediate troop withdrawal, and both Democratic presidential hopefuls have said it's time to bring the troops home.
"The removal of (U.S.) forces, especially in a fast and quick way, will not only put Iraq in danger, but it will put the whole region in danger," Hariri said at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "I don't believe even some of the most outspoken regional countries that are anti-U.S.-presence-in-Iraq will accept a quick and fast withdrawal of the U.S. forces."
Hariri joined with Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Paul Brinkley to announce successes in the ongoing efforts to establish a flourishing economy in Iraq -- a key element, they said, to a lasting peace and a stable government in the country. Brinkley heads the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.
"(The economy) is critical to the Department of Defense and the overall mission in Iraq," Brinkley said. "It is the element of stability ... that will enable normal life to take hold and will enable us as we draw down our presence in Iraq to leave behind a stable and prosperous country."
Hariri said rapid troop withdrawal would have a significant impact on the stability needed in Iraq to continue economic progress.
"Clearly, as it stands now (in) its military capacity, (Iraq) is unable to sustain any foreign intervention on its own," Hariri said.
Brinkley said that his task force has embedded business experts with U.S. troops in every region of the country over the last two years, resulting in significant job creation.
"The results we're going to announce today are (that) the task force has restored employment and support, in partnership with the Iraqi government, to over 100,000 people," Brinkley said. "These are not temporary jobs. These are sustained, professional, manufacturing jobs."
Working with the task force, the Iraqi government is privatizing state-owned industry to operate in a free-market economy. The task force also is helping the economy in Iraq by awarding contracts to local businesses, with 3,900 businesses receiving more than $1 billion in contracts since 2006, when the task force was formed.
Brinkley said international companies are beginning to set up manufacturing operations in Iraq, including Daimler AG and Caterpillar.
A strong economy in Iraq also will strengthen the U.S. economy, said Brinkley, who cited a $2 billion contract Boeing recently signed with the Iraqi government to build 40 commercial aircraft.
"These aircraft are going to be manufactured in Washington state, creating American jobs," Brinkley said. "When the Iraqi economy gets on its feet it will begin to consume its own goods, its own services, and the beneficial relationships that will take hold between the United States and other countries and Iraq will create employment here, in addition to in Iraq."
Brinkley said building a flourishing economy also is important to a significant portion of the more than 26 million Iraqi citizens.
"Roughly 50 percent of the population ... are under the age of 15," Brinkley said. "Economic development in Iraq is critical, not in the immediate term, but in the long term. There has to be a vibrant economy in place to absorb that young population who are going to grow up and expect a better life."
Congress has appropriated $50 million to revitalize the Iraqi economy in its 2007 supplemental budget. Hariri said the Iraqi government is also investing billions to rebuild its economy, including $5 billion targeted for job creation.
Barney Frank Will Move to Defund War
Barney Frank Will Move to Defund War Under Democrat President
By Josiah Ryan
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
May 07, 2008
On the Spot (CNSNews.com) - House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told Cybercast News Service on Tuesday he will move to end the Iraq War with an immediate termination of funding if a Democrat becomes president next year.
"I will move to cut funding immediately," said Frank. "I have already done that. I voted against the war and voted to cut the funding. I would hope a Democratic president would put in place a plan that would begin a total withdrawal."
So far, neither of the Democratic presidential candidates, Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, has been willing to unambiguously commit to a plan to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by 2013.
When the Democratic candidates were asked by NBC's Tim Russert, during the Sept. 26, 2007 debate, if they would pledge to withdraw U.S. combat troops by 2013 if they were elected president, neither Obama nor Clinton would make the pledge.
"I think it's hard to project four years from now," said Obama. "It is very difficult to know what we're going to be inheriting," Clinton said.
When Cybercast New Service asked Frank if he believed the U.S. would be out of Iraq by 2013, he said he cannot make any guarantees but that he will do his best to make sure that it happens. "Read the Constitution," he said. "As an individual member of the House, I cannot guarantee anything like that, but I can guarantee you that I will continue to support a withdrawal well before 2013."
House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) also said it is not possible to set 2013 as a definite deadline for withdrawal. "I would say that anyone who gives a guarantee should be committed," he said.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), the former presidential candidate, predicted that the Democrats would not take real action to end the war, even if one of their own was elected president. "I don't expect anyone to make a concrete effort to stop the war. We had the first test after the Democrats took over Congress," he said. "Nothing has happened.
"Now this supplemental funding has gone through and the Democrats have actually added $50 billion to the military funding to extend it," he said. "Here, instead of cutting it they are literally saying not only will we give you what you want but we are going to give you even more. They are trying to send out a message that they are less enthusiastic about the war than McCain. They might be, but the war isn't ending anytime soon."
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) agreed that voters can expect very little movement on ending the war from House Democrats, no matter who is elected president. When Cybercast News Service asked Boehner if he thinks that Democrats will move swiftly to cut funding for the war if a Democrat is elected president, he said. "No, I don't, I don't even think they will try."
By Josiah Ryan
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
May 07, 2008
On the Spot (CNSNews.com) - House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told Cybercast News Service on Tuesday he will move to end the Iraq War with an immediate termination of funding if a Democrat becomes president next year.
"I will move to cut funding immediately," said Frank. "I have already done that. I voted against the war and voted to cut the funding. I would hope a Democratic president would put in place a plan that would begin a total withdrawal."
So far, neither of the Democratic presidential candidates, Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, has been willing to unambiguously commit to a plan to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by 2013.
When the Democratic candidates were asked by NBC's Tim Russert, during the Sept. 26, 2007 debate, if they would pledge to withdraw U.S. combat troops by 2013 if they were elected president, neither Obama nor Clinton would make the pledge.
"I think it's hard to project four years from now," said Obama. "It is very difficult to know what we're going to be inheriting," Clinton said.
When Cybercast New Service asked Frank if he believed the U.S. would be out of Iraq by 2013, he said he cannot make any guarantees but that he will do his best to make sure that it happens. "Read the Constitution," he said. "As an individual member of the House, I cannot guarantee anything like that, but I can guarantee you that I will continue to support a withdrawal well before 2013."
House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) also said it is not possible to set 2013 as a definite deadline for withdrawal. "I would say that anyone who gives a guarantee should be committed," he said.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), the former presidential candidate, predicted that the Democrats would not take real action to end the war, even if one of their own was elected president. "I don't expect anyone to make a concrete effort to stop the war. We had the first test after the Democrats took over Congress," he said. "Nothing has happened.
"Now this supplemental funding has gone through and the Democrats have actually added $50 billion to the military funding to extend it," he said. "Here, instead of cutting it they are literally saying not only will we give you what you want but we are going to give you even more. They are trying to send out a message that they are less enthusiastic about the war than McCain. They might be, but the war isn't ending anytime soon."
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) agreed that voters can expect very little movement on ending the war from House Democrats, no matter who is elected president. When Cybercast News Service asked Boehner if he thinks that Democrats will move swiftly to cut funding for the war if a Democrat is elected president, he said. "No, I don't, I don't even think they will try."
Friday, May 2, 2008
Not Sure If I Read This Right !
Subject: Not Sure If I Read This Right !
Would you please repeat this for me?
I don't think I quite got it the first time.
'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'
- Barack Obama
____________
P. S. If this doesn't worry you, forget that I even mentioned it.
Would you please repeat this for me?
I don't think I quite got it the first time.
'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'
- Barack Obama
____________
P. S. If this doesn't worry you, forget that I even mentioned it.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Bill Would Preserve Gun Background
Bill Would Preserve Gun Background Check Records
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
April 30, 2008
(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a New Jersey Democrat, has introduced a bill that would allow the FBI to keep background check information on approved gun buyers for 180 days.
Since 2004, records of firearm transactions must be destroyed within 24 hours after those transactions are approved. (Prior to 2004, the FBI retained the records for 90 days.)
Second Amendment supporters strongly oppose the retention of lawful gun sale records, seeing it as a step toward creating a national gun registration list. When the National Instant Criminal Background Check System began running at the end of 1998, the FBI said it would "not be used to establish a federal firearm registry" and that all information resulting in legal firearm transfers would be destroyed.
Sen. Lautenberg's bill, the Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions (PROTECT) Act of 2008, also would require the FBI to retain for 10 years all background check records in cases where a would-be gun buyer's name is matched to a federal terrorist watch list. (Lautenberg tried to close the "terrorist loophole" in 2005, but the bill was never passed.)
Lautenberg said his PROTECT Act of 2008 would help law enforcement officials prevent "gun crimes" and terrorist acts.
"It makes no sense to destroy data that links a gun purchase to its buyer and seller," Lautenberg said in a news release. "Preserving background check information would allow law enforcement to do its job and keep guns out of the wrong hands. We must overturn the ill-conceived law mandating destruction of this data so we can successfully combat gun violence and terrorism in America."
Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, thanked Lautenberg for introducing "this sensible legislation."
"Most Americans cannot believe that a known or suspected terrorist can go through the Brady background check system and still buy guns," Helmke said. "By strengthening federal record retention laws, Senator Lautenberg's bill will help stop terrorists and dangerous criminals from getting guns."
The FBI currently keeps background check records of guns allowed to be sold to known and suspected terrorists for 90 days. If, at the end of the 90-day period, the FBI still has not found any reason to prohibit the purchase -- such as a felony conviction or fugitive status -- all records related to the purchase are destroyed.
Being on a terrorism watch list does not mean you really are a terrorist -- and therefore, your right to buy or own a gun should not be infringed, Second Amendment supporters have argued.
The Brady Law requires federally licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks on gun buyers within three business days, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Once the gun sale is approved, the FBI must destroy the records generated by the NICS within 24 hours, as required by a rider attached to appropriations bills each year since 2004.
Lautenberg says the 24-hour destruction requirement hinders the FBI's ability to verify that gun dealers are conducting background checks properly and to retrieve guns from those who are later found to be barred from having them.
He points to a 2002 Government Accountability Office (GAO) study in which the FBI, over a six-month period, used retained gun sales records to retrieve more than 200 illegally possessed guns.
Sen. Lautenberg's bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI), Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Charles Schumer (D-NY).
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
April 30, 2008
(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a New Jersey Democrat, has introduced a bill that would allow the FBI to keep background check information on approved gun buyers for 180 days.
Since 2004, records of firearm transactions must be destroyed within 24 hours after those transactions are approved. (Prior to 2004, the FBI retained the records for 90 days.)
Second Amendment supporters strongly oppose the retention of lawful gun sale records, seeing it as a step toward creating a national gun registration list. When the National Instant Criminal Background Check System began running at the end of 1998, the FBI said it would "not be used to establish a federal firearm registry" and that all information resulting in legal firearm transfers would be destroyed.
Sen. Lautenberg's bill, the Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions (PROTECT) Act of 2008, also would require the FBI to retain for 10 years all background check records in cases where a would-be gun buyer's name is matched to a federal terrorist watch list. (Lautenberg tried to close the "terrorist loophole" in 2005, but the bill was never passed.)
Lautenberg said his PROTECT Act of 2008 would help law enforcement officials prevent "gun crimes" and terrorist acts.
"It makes no sense to destroy data that links a gun purchase to its buyer and seller," Lautenberg said in a news release. "Preserving background check information would allow law enforcement to do its job and keep guns out of the wrong hands. We must overturn the ill-conceived law mandating destruction of this data so we can successfully combat gun violence and terrorism in America."
Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, thanked Lautenberg for introducing "this sensible legislation."
"Most Americans cannot believe that a known or suspected terrorist can go through the Brady background check system and still buy guns," Helmke said. "By strengthening federal record retention laws, Senator Lautenberg's bill will help stop terrorists and dangerous criminals from getting guns."
The FBI currently keeps background check records of guns allowed to be sold to known and suspected terrorists for 90 days. If, at the end of the 90-day period, the FBI still has not found any reason to prohibit the purchase -- such as a felony conviction or fugitive status -- all records related to the purchase are destroyed.
Being on a terrorism watch list does not mean you really are a terrorist -- and therefore, your right to buy or own a gun should not be infringed, Second Amendment supporters have argued.
The Brady Law requires federally licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks on gun buyers within three business days, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Once the gun sale is approved, the FBI must destroy the records generated by the NICS within 24 hours, as required by a rider attached to appropriations bills each year since 2004.
Lautenberg says the 24-hour destruction requirement hinders the FBI's ability to verify that gun dealers are conducting background checks properly and to retrieve guns from those who are later found to be barred from having them.
He points to a 2002 Government Accountability Office (GAO) study in which the FBI, over a six-month period, used retained gun sales records to retrieve more than 200 illegally possessed guns.
Sen. Lautenberg's bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI), Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Friday, April 11, 2008
SOUTHWEST FLARE A GIFT SHOPPE
WE ARE TAKING SOME SPECIAL PRIVILEGES HERE AND WILL TRY TO LET YOU KNOW THE REASON.
WE HAVE COME ACROSS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS STRUCK OUR HEART STRING. I SHAN'T GO INTO
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NEEDLESS TO SAY IN THE PAST WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TIME AND SOLICITED HELP, PRIMARILY PRAYERS, FOR THOSE NEEDY PERSONS OR ENTITIES NEEDING HELP. SO AT THIS TIME WE ARE
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WE HAVE COME ACROSS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS STRUCK OUR HEART STRING. I SHAN'T GO INTO
DEEP DETAILS AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD COME FROM HER AS HER TIME MIGHT FIT.
NEEDLESS TO SAY IN THE PAST WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TIME AND SOLICITED HELP, PRIMARILY PRAYERS, FOR THOSE NEEDY PERSONS OR ENTITIES NEEDING HELP. SO AT THIS TIME WE ARE
ADDING TO THE EDITIONS OF BOTH http://newsshoppe.blogspot.com AND http://gunnieusa1.blogspot.com THE FOLLOWING EMAIL STORE AD. THIS LITTLE PLACE HAS A VARIETY OF WONDERFUL ITEMS www.southwestflare.etsy.com, THE ITEMS VARY IN PRICE THAT MAKES FOR AN ENJOYABLE VISIT. AND YOUR PURCHASES WILL HELP SUSTAIN THIS LADY IN NEED.
WE THANK YOU AND ENJOY YOUR VISIT. D. ANDERSON EDITOR.
Welcome to the SOUTHWEST FLARE GIFT SHOPPE
TO VENTURE TO THE GIFT SHOPPE CLICK ON THE TITLE LINE ABOVE. ENJOY
JUST A SAMPLE OF SOME OF THE OFFERINGS HAND MADE BY OUR FRIEND.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO FIREARM LAWS
Traveler's guide to firearm laws of the Fifty States is a state-by-state guide to the gun laws most useful to the traveler.
*concealed carry reciprocity
*glove compartment carry (where legal)
*vehicle carry (storage or front seat) (loaded or not)
*open carry on your person
*how to handle a traffic stop
*sixty-eight pages of information
* includes Mexico and Canada
*written by an attorney
***************************************************************************************
TRAVELER'S GUIDE P. O. Box 2156 COVINGTON, KY 41012
Only $12.95 Name, Address, City State Zip Visa, MC, Discover, Check
CC customers by phone (859) 647-5100 FAX (859)491 5400
Visit us at www.gunlawguide.com.
***************************************************************************************
above courtesy http://gunnieusa1.blogspot.com
***************************************************************************************
*concealed carry reciprocity
*glove compartment carry (where legal)
*vehicle carry (storage or front seat) (loaded or not)
*open carry on your person
*how to handle a traffic stop
*sixty-eight pages of information
* includes Mexico and Canada
*written by an attorney
***************************************************************************************
TRAVELER'S GUIDE P. O. Box 2156 COVINGTON, KY 41012
Only $12.95 Name, Address, City State Zip Visa, MC, Discover, Check
CC customers by phone (859) 647-5100 FAX (859)491 5400
Visit us at www.gunlawguide.com.
***************************************************************************************
above courtesy http://gunnieusa1.blogspot.com
***************************************************************************************
Sunday, April 15, 2007
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SHOULD YOU DESIRE TO STOP RECEIVING NOTICIES OF EDITORIAL DATES PLEASE EMAIL US AT
oad@alaska.net give us your email address and "unsubscribe" and we will remove you
from our list. Again thank you.
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