John Cornyn: “this amendment is the gun owner privacy protection amendment. This amendment actually will not change the laws that…”

“this amendment is the gun owner privacy protection amendment. This amendment actually will not change the laws that currently exist, but it will continue a temporary provision that was included in the omnibus appropriations bill that will otherwise expire at the end of this fiscal year. I believe when it comes to protecting the American people, the instant background checks that are required upon the sale of firearms are a very important part of protecting the public. Principally, I believe it is important because it does, on a near instantaneous basis, determine who can legally purchase a firearm and who cannot. Indeed, it is a Federal crime for a convicted felon, or some other person who cannot legally possess a firearm, to purchase one and, conversely, for the retailer to sell it. This provides an instantaneous piece of essential information when it comes to compliance with the law. Of course, we know the primary threat, in terms of public safety, comes from when career criminals illegally use firearms to commit crimes, which they do typically from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night. This would provide for the continuation of this privacy protection that was contained in the omnibus appropriations bill. It is specific.…”