WASHINGTON - Today, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) announced an amendment of regulations to implement the provisions of Public Law 103-159, relating to the permanent provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. These regulations implement the law by requiring, with some exceptions, a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to contact the national instant criminal background check (NICS) before transferring any firearm to an unlicensed individual. NICS will advise the licensee whether the system contains any information that by law prohibits the prospective purchaser from possessing or receiving a firearm. The law requires that the permanent system be established not later than November 30, 1998.

On November 30, 1993, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was enacted, amending the Gun Control Act of 1968. The Brady Law imposed as an interim measure a waiting period of 5 days before a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer may sell, deliver, or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual. The waiting period applies only in states without an acceptable alternate system of conducting background checks on handgun purchasers. The interim provisions of the Brady law became effective on February 28, 1994, and cease to apply on November 30, 1998. While the interim provisions of the Brady law apply only to handguns, the permanent provisions of the Brady law apply to all firearms.