FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	DAG

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1998                                                                                               (202) 616-2777

                                                                                                                                                             TDD (202) 514-1888




STATEMENT OF DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER


ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BRADY BILL





	"This Saturday marks the fourth anniversary of President
Clinton's Brady Act, which has stopped hundreds of thousands of
over-the-counter handgun sales to felons, fugitives and others
who are prohibited by the law from getting one. 




	"As you may know, the Brady Act requires that a national
instant check system be up and running by the end of this
November.  It will be.  The FBI has developed a computer system
that can store and manage the data necessary to perform
background checks instantly.  And they are loading in a variety
of federal records that show who is legally ineligible, such as
military dishonorable discharge records.




	"The Brady Act and federal funding have helped spark a
nationwide drive to computerize criminal history records.

When the Brady Act became law, fewer than 20 percent of the
country's criminal history records were computerized, sharable
and complete.  Just four years later, that share has doubled.  By
the end of the year, it should be 50 percent.




	"This is progress, but this Administration's goal is the
most complete criminal history records system possible.  The
Justice Department has distributed more than $200 million to help
states improve their criminal history record systems.  We need
Congress to keep funding improvements, and we need the states to
work as hard as they can to bring their records into shape for
the twenty-first century.




	"Computerized criminal history records don't just stop
illegal gun sales -- they help states spot job applicants who are
barred from positions caring for children, the elderly and the
disabled.  They also they help police determine whether a suspect
is the subject of a domestic violence restraining orders and help
judges determine the appropriate sentences.  




	"The Brady Act has helped keep guns out of the wrong hands. 
It will keep making a difference--if everyone does what they can
to improve criminal history records.

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98-085