Printz+VS+The+Untited+States


 * Printz VS The United States **


 * In the year 1997 **

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Bill) required local chief law enforcement officers to perform background-checks on prospective handgun purchasers. County sheriffs Jay Printz and Richard Mack separately challenged the constitutionality of this duty in the states of Arizona and Montana.

The major question at hand was if Congress could temporarily require local chief law enforcement officers to perform the background-checks of the Brady Bill's handgun bill.

The Brady Bill was passed by congress so that the Attorney General was able to establish a national background-check system. They wanted to know who owned guns and what type of record they had. Then if anyone wanted to buy a firearm they would have their information put on this list and if they posed any threat they wouldn't be able to buy firearms.

The Supreme Courts final decision was that the officers could not be made to perform the background-checks. Congress was not able to make a state or local government to implement federal regulatory programs, even if they are temporary. The ruling was 5-4 in favor of Printz.

Heidi Mann