Mukasey Speech Focuses on Firearms and Mental Health

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Justice Department says the number of people barred from buying guns because of mental health problems has more than doubled since the Virginia Tech shootings. Attorney General Michael Mukasey made the announcement yesterday in Park City during his first public remarks since taking the post:

"As the Virginia Tech tragedy made clear, it's vital that NICS have accurate and complete information on persons prohibited from possessing firearms because of mental health history," says Mukasey.

Three months after the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech, there were about 175,000 people identified in the database as having mental problems. This month, it's up to almost 394,000, says Mukasey. He also says instant background checks are essential. During his 10-minute speech at the semi-annual conference of the National Association of Attorneys General, Mukasey emphasized cooperation between state attorneys general and the Justice Department.

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