Smear campaign wrong on facts (The Tiahrt Amendment)

The Wichita Eagle ^ | Dec. 06, 2009 | U.S. Rep. TODD TIAHRT

[neverdem]

It comes as little surprise that liberal political bloggers, along with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, continue to heap criticism on the Tiahrt amendment ("On gun-privacy rights," Dec. 3 WE Blog excerpts). Now permanent law, the Tiahrt amendment protects the privacy rights of legal firearm owners and ensures that undercover agents and their investigations are not compromised.

The latest smear campaign spearheaded by Bloomberg and Mayors Against Illegal Guns brazenly casts blame on the Tiahrt amendment for the Fort Hood massacre. One of their primary solutions to prevent another Fort Hood tragedy is, of course, to repeal the Tiahrt amendment.

But the FBI already has 90 days to maintain firearm sale records related to terrorist watch list suspects and can also place holds on such transactions to allow further review by field agents when needed. The Tiahrt amendment does not affect background check outcomes, does not affect who is permitted to own a firearm, and does not restrict local law enforcement officials from accessing firearm data for criminal investigations.

Protecting the privacy of law-abiding citizens by preventing a national firearm registry, while at the same time ensuring law enforcement officers have all necessary resources to combat terrorism and crime, is the balance the Tiahrt amendment strikes. But don't expect to hear this anytime soon from those on the left who want to expand the reach of the federal government.

U.S. Rep. TODD TIAHRT

R-Goddard