|
|
Article: Md. Gun Dealers Report More `Holds' on Sales; Police Say They've Caught Up on Checks
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- March 24, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
Some Maryland gun dealers are reporting a sharp increase in the
number of gun sales being put on hold by the Maryland State Police,
raising new questions about how police eliminated a large backlog of
criminal background checks on prospective handgun buyers.
Police admitted last week that beginning in December they had
failed to make background checks within the allotted time, enabling
dozens of convicted criminals to obtain weapons. All 54 of the
weapons at issue have been recovered, although officials said
yesterday that five of the gun purchases should have been approved.
Police have said they now begin to process all background checks
within 24 hours of receipt. But some gun store owners ...