Rep. Adams Introduces Law Enforcement Needs to Know Act

Washington, DC — At the end of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Congresswomen Alma S. Adams (NC-12) introduced the Law Enforcement Needs to Know Act. This common-sense legislation would strengthen our background check system to help state and local law enforcement keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.

The Law Enforcement Needs to Know Act would establish a grant program for states and Native American Tribes to enroll individuals who buy firearms in the FBI Rap Back program. The Rap Back program notifies police when a gun owner from their state is arrested anywhere in the country.

The Rap Back system provides real time, ongoing updates about any criminal activity reported to the FBI after a background check has been completed. This will inform states if a gun owner has committed a crime in another state that leaves them ineligible to possess a firearm.

"Keeping guns away from criminals is a no-brainer, but we have to give law enforcement the tools they need to play an effective role in the licensing system," said Congresswoman Adams. "If we're serious about stopping the epidemic of gun violence in this country, we need strong, effective background checks that monitor ongoing criminal activity and alert police when someone is no longer eligible to own a gun. This bill will provide states with the resources they need to keep firearms away from criminals and make their communities safe."

"If we're going to keep guns out of the hands of prohibited purchasers, we need to give our law enforcement officers every tool available to do so. This bill would tremendously enhance the ability of state and federal law enforcement to identify individuals who have forfeited their eligibility to own a firearm through criminal action, strengthening our background check system and keeping our communities safe," said Kris Brown, President of Brady United Against Gun Violence. "Rep. Adams' leadership on this issue has been tremendous, and we're proud to support this legislation."