Number: 94-885
Title: The Brady Handgun Control Act: Constitutional Issues
Authors: Dorothy Schrader, Office of Senior Specialists 
Abstract: The Brady Handgun Control Act established a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases, during which local law enforcement can make reasonable efforts to conduct background checks in available records and block and sales to convicted felons and other disqualified persons. This report reviews the background of federal gun control legislation, analyzes the conflict in the courts over the constitutionality under the Tenth Amendment of the duties placed on local law enforcement, and considers the implications of the decisions for Brady Act enforcement.
Pages: 15
Date: Updated October 25, 1995