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
Swayze died, with family at his side, on September 14, 2009, at age 57, twenty months after being diagnosed. Swayze's publicist confirmed to CNN that he had died of pancreatic cancer. His body was cremated, and his ashes scattered over his New Mexico ranch.