The House took quick action on last week’s mass shooting and stabbing that left seven — including the suspect — dead in Santa Barbara, Calif., and passed a provision to pay the FBI another $19.5 million to bolster its National Instance Criminal Background Check System, with the hope this will prevent the mentally ill from obtaining guns.
The House, with a 260-145 vote, tacked the grant measure on to the 2015 appropriations bill, The Hill reported.
“Right now, all of the information isn’t getting in [to the NICS],” said Calif. Rep. Mike Thompson, who sponsored the amendment, The Hill reported. “When the information doesn’t get into the system, we can’t enforce the law and dangerous people who otherwise wouldn’t pass a background check can slip through the cracks and buy guns.”
Mr. Thompson specified the money would go to states that don’t have the technological or financial means to provide information to the NICS system, The Hill reported.
The National Rifle Association didn’t take a strong stance on the amendment.
The 22-year-old suspect in the California shooting and stabbing spree had a history of mental problems, his family members reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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