No one else linked this
story, and to me this seems such an important issue. All of Ashcroft's defense of the most invasive aspects of the Patriot Act is based around the theme that we need to give up certain privacies and freedoms in order to gain security from the threat of domestic terrorism. Yet, when given the chance to apply the same thinking to
gun buyers, Mr. Ashcroft turns face and becomes a staunch defender of privacy:
Background checks on gun buyers would be retained for 24 hours, instead of 90 days, under a deal Republicans struck during final negotiations over an immense spending bill funding dozens of federal agencies.
The $373 billion spending bill, which combines seven overdue annual spending bills, carries the changed rules for background checks that were first proposed in 2001 by Attorney General John D. Ashcroft.
Gun rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association, say keeping the records raises privacy concerns. Gun control advocates say destroying the records after 24 hours would hamper federal officials who are trying to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
Is anyone else appalled by the irony and hypocrisy of this policy?