WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- A U.S. House panel Wednesday added contentious language to a 2005 spending bill limiting the disclosure of information about firearms used in crimes.
The House Appropriations Committee approved the National Rifle Association-backed addition to the $29.8 billion 2005 Commerce-Justice-State funding bill.
The amendment would prohibit the disclosure of information from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' program tracking the seller of dealer guns used in crimes in civil lawsuits.
Proponents of the move, including Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., contend it is only a tightening of existing law and release of the information would hurt law enforcement efforts.
The amendment is a response to a ruling in a suit against gun manufacturer Beretta filed by New York City in the federal district court, that allows the city to access the information.
