[troysvihl]

Notice that the statute does not say when they are to “destroy all records”.

Yeah, well that's part of the "wiggle room" that is alluded to by that author. But that "wiggle room" is only about when the records are to be destroyed. Hardly what I would call sufficient "wiggle room" to violate the law itself by using the information to check for terrorists.

But the legislative history of this law makes it pretty clear that the use of this information in any way other than to check the background of gun buyers will violate Congress's intent. The anti-second amendmant senators and congressman that voted for this law promissed that repeatedly. (isn't it interresting that some of those same people are now mad at Ashcroft for not making them a liar?)

Also, what does this passage mean? “Nothing in this section expands or restricts the Secretary's authority to inquire into the disposition of any firearm in the course of a criminal investigation. (emphasis added)

Exactly what it says. This law only sets up a system of checking backgrounds of gun buyers, and this last sentence makes that clearer to any law enforcement officials. Congress is making it clear to any defendants or prosecutors that there isn't anything in this law that gives them more or less authority.