Statement of Governor Kaine on U.S. House Passage of National Instant Criminal Background Check System Improvement Act

Statement

Governor Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H.R. 2640, the National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) Improvement Act, which would require states to include mental health records in the information provided to the federal background check system for gun purchases. The legislation was prompted by the April 16, 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech.

"As I prepared to issue Executive Order 50 on May 4, instructing all executive branch agencies to immediately begin including the names of individuals found dangerous and ordered to undergo involuntary mental health treatment in the database accessed before the sale of firearms, I was surprised to learn that Virginia was one of only 22 states reporting any mental health information to NICS. In fact, nearly half of the reports submitted nationally on mentally ill people have been submitted by Virginia.

"Today, the House of Representatives took significant action to honor the memories of the victims who lost their lives at Virginia Tech. H.R. 2640 pledges federal funding and provides practical steps to encourage every state to provide timely and accurate information on individuals with mental illness who are barred under current law from purchasing guns.

"I applaud Speaker Pelosi and the House leadership for ‘fast-tracking' this common-sense legislation, and I especially want to salute the efforts of Congressman Rick Boucher, who signed on as an original cosponsor, and worked hard to secure passage of this bill.

"Today's House vote is a clear example that policymakers at every level of government are working in a bipartisan and responsible way to promote public safety."

Source