Under the Brady Act, the federal government has implemented a new system of instant background checks of firearms purchasers, replacing the previous system of a fiveday waiting period and checks conducted by state and local law enforcement agencies. The new system requires background checks for people buying shotguns and rifles, as well as handguns. The Brady Act also prohibits gun sales to convicted felons, drug abusers, the mentally ill, illegal immigrants, spouse abusers and others. Justice Department figures show that since the law has been on the books, it has stopped about 242,000 sales. The National Rifle Association, citing privacy concerns, has filed a lawsuit to block the FBI from keeping records from the background checks.
Women are more likely than men to want major restrictions on guns.
Although some experts argue that the system's problems are overstated, most say only painful choices will keep the national retirement system from running out of money in the next century. In our Social Security issue, you'll find a number of features to illuminate the debate. Proposals - Few alternatives for Social Security reform attract broad public support. This is usually a signal that people either do not understand a proposal or have not thought carefully about its implications. In fact, very few Americans say they have heard a lot about these proposals.