|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
CONTACT: Steve McMullen Phone: 717-783-5043 |
State Rep. Ed Staback |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Staback named to gun background check task force
HARRISBURG, Aug. 24 – State Rep. Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, has been appointed to a task force that will consider possible alternative dates to the planned Labor Day weekend upgrade of the instant background check system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police.
The governor and State Police Commissioner Col. Jeffrey Miller had previously announced that the Pennsylvania Instant Check System, or PICS, would be inoperable from Sept. 2-6 to allow for an upgrade. Following strong objections by sportsmen and retailers to the proposal, the governor announced that he had asked for an impromptu committee to be formed representing all interested parties to meet this coming week to see if there is a more agreeable time to proceed with the planned upgrade.
Staback was appointed to the task force by House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene.
“I’m pleased to be appointed to the task force and I’m going to do my best to represent the interests of the sporting community in our state,” Staback said. “While I agree the upgrade is important, doing it during the Labor Day holiday will be a huge inconvenience to the many people who shop for guns over that weekend. There has to be a better time to make the necessary improvements to the system.”
The system allows retailers to conduct instant background checks on people who want to purchase guns. It is also used to investigate the backgrounds of teachers and others who are entrusted with caring for children.
“We have to consider other potential times that will be less constricting on gun enthusiasts and hunters, and the businesses that serve them,” Staback said.
Sept. 1 marks the start of hunting season for doves and early Canada geese. Staback noted that Labor Day weekend is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year for hunters to purchase guns.
###vls/2007/mjh
l:\print\releases\gunchecks.115