@Techie25:
There is such a database it's called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). In addition many states have their own version. If a person has an arrest for DWI for example, NCIC has a record of it. As for the consequences of driving impaired that's left up to the courts, which in my opinion have been far too lenient on violators.
@rocket:
@Techie25
and there is a similar system when you buy a firearm from a dealer (bricks & mortar or online stores)...
when you buy a firearm, say from Walmart, Sportsman's Outlet or Carters, you'll need to fill out an ATF form and the salesperson will call the National Instant Check System (NICS) for an instant check. States are supposed to be feeding records to NICS (convictions, mental health, etc.) but the system is as good as the data in it.
The NICS check can provide several outputs: clear, which means the transaction will proceed, a hold, meaning additional time to investigate is needed, and the buyer will be contacted within a few days to pickup the firearm if "cleared", or a denial. If denied, that could bring charges at some point. If your name is John Smith and you don't provide a SSN on the ATF form, likely you'll get a hold until they figure out who you really are.
If you are a CHL holder, you've been background checked already, so the dealer does not have (but may anyway) to call NICS. You'll fill out the ATF form anyway, which the dealer must keep and have ready if/when the ATF wants to review them.
If you buy a firearm from an Internet store, the store will ship the firearm to a licensed dealer in your area, and that dealer will have you fill the ATF form and call NICS before transferring the firearm to you.
If you buy a firearm from an individual, there is no NICS check, as the seller (an individual) does not have access to NICS. Most times I've bought/sold a gun to an individual, we exchange CHL information and sign a bill of sale... this is for CYA purposes.
So the "stronger background checks" bill that Obama was pimping last year, was to make all gun sales/transfers go thru NICS... so private sales would have required the buyer and seller to go to a dealer, fill out forms, possible pay some fees, etc. before the transaction could be completed... also, if you and I go on a week long hunting trip, and I lend you one of my guns for more than 72 hrs, then we have to get that background check done, or we would be breaking the law.
Of all these recent shootings, all these guns were bought legally (i.e. from a dealer) or taken illegally from the owner (i.e. Sandy Hook). So, that "stronger background checks" bill would not have prevented any of these shootings.