The attempt to have local law enforcement officers conduct background checks on would-be handgun purchasers was struck down by the Supreme Court last year.

Despite the Court decision, law enforcement officials in 27 states will continue to perform background checks on handgun purchasers because of their state laws.

But in 1998, the five-day waiting period for handgun purchasers under that law expired and was replaced by a national instant check system.

At issue yesterday was a provision of the new House drug bill that would require a handgun purchaser to wait seven days before taking possession.

Named for Jim Brady, this legislation would establish a national seven-day waiting period before a handgun purchaser could take delivery.

If a handgun purchaser doesn't like the background check, it is clear that Congress is to blame.

In other recent decisions, the same majority has struck down Federal laws that, for example, barred guns in schools or required local sheriffs to perform background checks on handgun purchasers.

First, they say, it would allow law enforcement officials to conduct background checks on handgun purchasers, which would allow them to stop thousands of illegal purchases.

The complex piece of legislation included an interim provision that directed state and local officials to conduct background checks for prospective handgun purchasers.

The Brady law, which imposes a five-day waiting period and a background check on handgun purchasers, is already having a modest effect in this area.