Anti-Gun Trafficking Penalties Enhancement Act of 2007

The Anti-Gun Trafficking Penalties Enhancement Act of 2007 (S.77) is a gun control measure introduced in the Senate by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on January 4, 2007. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.



Details
If approved, the measure would overturn the Tiahrt Amendment, which had been included in every appropriation for the Justice Department since 2003. Specifically, it restricted cities and police from accessing and using the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms from tracing data from guns recovered in crimes. According to ProtectPolice.org, the Tiahrt Amendment restricted a city’s access to:


 * Its own crime gun trace data
 * Crime gun trace data from other cities and states
 * Crime gun trace data as evidence in trying to hold dealers accountable for violating the law
 * Annual ATF reports on nationwide illegal gun trafficking patterns

Commendation
The measure was supported by the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition.

Criticism
The measure was opposed by the National Rifle Association, whose Institute for Legislative Action instead calls the measure the "Firearms Dealer Harassment Act".

External resources

 * OpenCongress page on the bill
 * Mayors Against Illegal Guns