The Brady Law remains in force, but the Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2004.

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But the legislation stalled over such issues as how to extend Brady law background checks to gun shows, banning large-capacity ammunition clips or whether to require safety locks on handguns.

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The current NICS is required by federal law -- the Brady Act of 1993 -- to destroy background check request records within 24 hours.

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The panel included National Rifle Association board members, the president of the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence, law enforcement representatives and other participants voicing viewpoints across the spectrum.

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The assault weapons ban was a complicated law and even firearms like the .223 Bushmaster believed used by the gunman Friday, wouldn't necessarily have been illegal under that law, said Jonathan Lowy, director of the legal action project at the Brady Center to Prevent Handgun Violence.

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