Ashcroft said the government should keep records on people who tried to purchase firearms for no more than one business day instead of the 180 days now allowed by federal regulation. In the wake of protests by gun control advocates, Kmart Corp. has announced that it will phase out the sale of handgun ammunition over the next 90 days.
Japan has some of the world's toughest gun control laws, and shootings are relatively rare.
Bush was visiting Philadelphia on Monday to highlight his efforts to catch gun offenders. Bush has advocated ''vigorously'' enforcing laws involving gun crimes and said it should be a priority to keep juveniles from obtaining guns. . April 27 - A ruling by the state's top court that gun makers can't be held liable for shooting deaths and injuries because of their marketing practices is certain to have an impact on dozens of such cases nationwide, lawyers say. Gun makers said the unanimous decision will set an example for judges across the country hearing about three dozen similar cases. The tense, noontime standoff sent tourists running for cover.