For Immediate Release  
 Contact: Art Resnick
                                          FY-98-5  
                                          Date: February 19, 1998

   

      Implementation of Public Law 103-159, Relating to the Permanent
          Provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

 WASHINGTON--The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is issuing proposed
 regulations to implement the provisions of Public Law 103-159, relating to the permanent
 provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.  These proposed regulations implement
 the law by requiring, with some exceptions, a licensed firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer to
 contact the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) before transferring any
 firearm to an unlicensed individual.  NICS will advise the licensee whether the system contains any
 information that the prospective purchaser is prohibited by law from possessing or receiving a
 firearm. 

 Written comments must be received on or before May 20, 1998. 

 Send written comments to:   
   

      Chief, Regulations Division 
      Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 
      P.O. Box 50221 
      Washington, DC  20091-0221 
      ATTN:  Notice No.  857

 For further information see the February 19, 1998, issue of the Federal Register, contact ATF’s
 office of Public Information at (202) 927-8500, or visit ATF’s Web site at www.atf.treas.gov. 
   
                                   -end-