NICS has blocked more than 600,000 people convicted of a crime from acquiring a weapon since 1998. When the background check system flags a purchaser for a felony or another qualifying conviction, the transaction is stopped. A surprising number of people with open arrest warrants attempt to buy a gun.
Patrick Swayze died Monday after battle with pancreatic cancer, publicist says; Swayze's doctor revealed in March 2008 that Swayze had the disease; Swayze broke through with his performance in 1987's Dirty Dancing Co-star Jennifer Grey: He was a real cowboy with a tender heart
Here are some other people who succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Patrick Swayze, of Dirty Dancing and Roadhouse fame, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008, and died on Sept. 14, 2009 at age 57. Swayze's cancer had spread to his liver by the time he was diagnosed, and he went through intense treatment but no surgery. Joan Crawford died of a heart attack while suffering from pancreatic cancer on May 8, 1977 - nearly three years after her final public appearance.