Larry Keane - National Shooting Sports Foundation General Counsel

Published on October 26, 2010
Duration: 13:27

This video discusses the Tiahrt Amendment and its impact on ATF trace data access for law enforcement and civil litigation. Larry Keane, General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, argues that the amendment does not prevent law enforcement from accessing trace data and was enacted to prevent its misuse by anti-gun groups for political agendas and civil lawsuits. The discussion also touches on the misrepresentation of gun store traces in media coverage and the flawed logic behind 'no-fly, no-buy' proposals.

Quick Summary

The Tiahrt Amendment does not prevent law enforcement from accessing ATF trace data; its purpose was to prevent misuse of this data in civil litigation and for political agendas. Media often misrepresents gun stores with high trace counts, and 'no-fly, no-buy' proposals are flawed due to list inaccuracies and existing background check protocols.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Washington Post Article
  2. 00:30The Tiahrt Amendment and Trace Data
  3. 01:35Law Enforcement Access to Trace Data
  4. 02:01Risks of Data Misuse
  5. 03:15Chicago Lawsuit and FOIA
  6. 04:53Municipal Lawsuits and Trace Data
  7. 06:35Media Coverage and Political Timing
  8. 08:02No-Fly, No-Buy Debate
  9. 10:01NICS Background Checks and Watchlists
  10. 11:10Media Portrayal of Gun Stores
  11. 13:11Conclusion with Larry Keane

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tiahrt Amendment and what does it do regarding ATF trace data?

The Tiahrt Amendment, according to Larry Keane of the NSSF, does not prevent law enforcement from accessing ATF trace data. Its primary purpose was to prevent this data from being used in civil litigation and for political agendas that could endanger law enforcement and gun dealers.

How does the media often misrepresent gun stores and trace data?

Media outlets sometimes highlight gun stores with a high number of firearm traces, implying they are 'bad guys.' However, law enforcement often does not view these dealers as problematic, and a high trace count can simply mean they sell a large volume of firearms.

Are 'no-fly, no-buy' proposals effective for preventing terrorism?

Larry Keane argues that 'no-fly, no-buy' proposals are flawed. The no-fly list has known inaccuracies, including individuals who are not terrorists. Furthermore, the NICS background check system already incorporates checks against relevant watchlists during firearm purchases.

What was the origin of the Tiahrt Amendment?

The Tiahrt Amendment was largely a response to lawsuits, such as one initiated by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, which sought to obtain national ATF trace data for use in civil litigation against the firearms industry.

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