Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Brady Law Bars 5% of Potential Gun Buyers

In the Brady law’s first 100 days, about 5% of prospective gun buyers were barred from purchasing them after background checks, the Treasury Department said. The figures--based on a survey of gun dealers and police in nine cities--show that the gun control law is working, Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen said. “The law has punished those it meant to punish: the criminals,” he said. “It hasn’t touched the good and honest gun buyers, not for a minute.” The department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said 70 licensed firearms dealers reported receiving 11,727 applications for guns since the law took effect Feb. 28 and denying 624, or 5.3%. The survey was conducted in Abilene and Houston, Tex.; Louisville, Ky.; Seattle; Pittsburgh; Providence, R.I.; Atlanta; Shreveport, La., and Cleveland.