FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1997                              (202) 616-2777
                                                     TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ON OHIO'S AGREEMENT TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR HANDGUNS PURCHASES.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Earlier this year, the Supreme Court invalidated the part of the Brady Bill that requires states to conduct mandatory criminal background checks prior to handgun purchases. But in an era where criminals are more mobile than ever, background checks are simply irreplaceable in the fight to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

"That's why the overwhelming majority of states decided to keep conducting these checks. However, the state of Ohio did not initially continue background checks on purchasers who refused to submit to them. In Ohio, approximately 10 percent refused.

"Yesterday, after thoughtful discussions, this problem has been resolved. Under an agreement signed by the Justice Department, Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery, and the U.S. Treasury Department, these checks will resume.

"Every handgun purchaser in Ohio will again be required to undergo a background check before they are given a gun. If they refuse to consent to a state check, the Franklin County Sheriffs Office in Columbus, Ohio will check their backgrounds against national criminal history databases.

"Because of this new agreement, approximately 98 percent of all Americans now live in a jurisdiction where law enforcement officials voluntarily continue to perform background checks on prospective handgun purchasers.

"This administration has gone the extra mile to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Since President Clinton signed the Brady Bill, background checks have stopped gun sales to more than a quarter of a million felons, fugitives and others who shouldn't have them. This agreement will protect Ohioans and Americans everywhere."

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