Tell Congress it's time to protect police, not the criminals.
Since 2003, the Tiahrt Amendments have made it more difficult for law enforcement to go after illegal gun traffickers. Use our tool to tell your members of Congress that it’s time to give police the tools they need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
Hear Patricia’s story
Patricia Tucker's husband, Mark, was killed with an illegal gun. He was an Investigator in the Wake County, NC Sheriff’s office. Read about Patricia’s Story (PDF). For more facts about the video… click here.
Do the Tiahrt Amendments Help Arm Drug Cartels?
The ATF reports that more than 90% of guns recovered and traced from Mexican drug war crime scenes originate from gun dealers in the United States. Learn how the Tiahrt Amendments are aiding the traffickers and adding fuel to the fire.
Go to Protectpolice.org’s Mexican Drug War page
What are the Tiahrt Amendments?
The “Tiahrt Amendment” is named for its original sponsor, U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-KS). The Tiahrt Amendment is a provision that members of Congress have tucked into federal spending bills that
- block state and local police from having full access to ATF crime gun trace data,
- require FBI to destroy certain background check records after just 24 hours, and
- prevent ATF from requiring gun dealers to physically check their inventories on a regular basis.
Updates
May 7, 2009
The Obama administration has proposed a reform to the Tiahrt trace data restriction, restoring full access for law enforcement to the trace database. The proposal takes no action on other restrictions on background check data and inventory monitoring. Read the statements from the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition co-chairs
