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
Patrick Swayze's Pancreatic Cancer. Although Swayze's pancreatic cancer was at stage IV when it was diagnosed in March 2008, he continued working on his television series, The Beast, completing all 13 episodes without the help of pain medications. He opened up about his ordeal in a moving interview with Barbara Walters that aired in January.