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Proposed Pennsylvania House Legislation HB921

HB 921 would replace the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) with the National Instant Check System (NICS) saving over $6 million annually for the Commonwealth and millions in fees for citizens as well as unburdening the legitimate firearms retailers from unnecessary complications in the firearms purchase process.

Important Points: Are YOU aware that:

* PICS duplicates NICS services adding unnecessary layers of technological complication to the firearms purchase process.

* PICS has cost Pennsylvania at least $100 million since 1998

* NICS can be used at NO cost to gun owners.

* State police use PICS to maintain an illegal database of gun owners.

* How many crimes have the state police solved by the staggering amount of money spent?

* Recently, two-thirds of PICS funding was cut from the General Fund yet the system still operates - where is the fat in the Pennsylvania State Police budget?

* The Pennsylvania State Police have only recently (2013) complied with long-standing Federal regulations to share mental health records with NICS to prevent persons diagnosed with disabling (with respect to acquiring firearms) mental health problems from going to another state to buy firearms.

Pennsylvania pays extra for the instant check. A job that most states let NICS do for FREE.

The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) from 1998 to 2011 has cost the tax payers in excess of estimated $100,000,000.00 dollars (yes, that IS 'millions') to administer to date for background checks for all firearm purchases. The federal NICS would do the same job at no additional cost to taxpayers. It also costs on average $7 million a year for administration and cost to keep the PICS (PA Instant Check System) including the, arguably, illegal Record of Sale database system.

**As a reminder, here are a few quick points regarding the PSP failing to comply with law:

1. Reclassifying AR-15 rifles as pistols

2. Illegally requiring Social Security Numbers in violation of federal law (Stollenwerk v. PA. PSP lost this court case then ignored Federal Court Judge Sanchez€™ decision)

3. Putting firearms purchasers on a delayed status and then automatically denying the firearms transaction.

4. Denials are made without any foundation in records or law