The gun grabbing government of the People's Republic of California is all up in arms, because John Ashcroft is asking them to stop violating federal law. Several years ago, the NICS database (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) was created, to provide firearms dealers with a quick way of determining if a person was prohibited from purchasing a firearm. With the instant background check, there was no need for a mandatory waiting period, and convicted felons, mentally ill persons, and others who have been stripped of their right to keep and bear arms could be instantly identified and denied a purchase.

When the law was put into place, the database was strictly dedicated to firearms dealers, and off limits to state and local governments. Naturally, arrogant gun grabbers in California figure the law doesn't apply to them, and they've been illegally using the database for years.

State officials said that until John Ashcroft became U.S. attorney general in 2001, California's use of the databank was not questioned.

TRANSLATION: The Clinton Administration never worried about us violating federal law. This Ashcroft guy is a stickler for the rules.

"We understood it as a potential criminal action," said Randy Rossi, firearms chief for state Attorney General Bill Lockyer, "and our response back to them was we understand what you are saying and we think public safety is paramount and you take whatever step is necessary."

TRANSLATION: We know we are violating the law, and we dare you to try to stop us. Our intentions are good, and that is what really counts. So what if we are violating the law?

California wasn't the only one violating the law. Apparently the State of Georgia was denying purchases to people who were merely accused of a crime; a practice that Ashcroft put an end to.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution estimated that every day an average of 17 or 18 people facing felony charges now are given permission to buy a gun in Georgia.

TRANSLATION: GASP! People that have not yet been convicted of a crime are not being denied their Constitutionally protected freedoms. Shouldn't we take away their Constitutionally protected rights prior to convicting them, just in case?

"We viewed it as a threat," John Bankhead, spokesman for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said about the FBI's letter. "We had done this for six years without an issue until the new administration came in, and they pulled this on us."

TRANSLATION: That Clinton guy never minded us violating federal law. What's up with this Bush guy? He's got some nerve.

Naturally, the response of the liberal gun grabbers is to cry that the Bush Administration isn't tough on crime and firearms laws. Of course, the real irony is that John Ashcroft is being tough on crime and is enforcing firearm's laws. Its just that in this particular situation it is the states who are the criminals. They are the ones violating federal firearm's laws.

(link shamelessly stolen from Kim DuToit)