The law requires dealers not only to verify the identification of the purchaser, but also to withhold delivery of the gun if the FBI, based on background check results indicates that the sale should not go through.
The State Department says it will withhold deliveries of weapons and military equipment as well as cash assistance to the Egyptian government.
The United States, an ally of Egypt that has long supported its military with cash and equipment, said on Wednesday it would withhold deliveries of tanks, fighter aircraft, helicopters and missiles to Cairo, as well as $260 million in aid.
The Obama administration said on Oct. 9 that it would withhold deliveries of tanks, fighter aircraft and other military equipment, as well as $260 million in cash aid, from Egypt's military-backed government until it made progress on democracy and human rights.
The decision means withholding the delivery of aircraft, tanks, missiles and helicopters, but it will continue to provide health and education assistance.
France has said that it will withhold the delivery of a warship to Mr Putin if necessary, but is proceeding with the first of the two vessels on order.
To signal its displeasure at the Egyptian military's bloody crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, officials said, the United States would withhold the delivery of several big-ticket items, including Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles, M1-A1 tank parts and F-16 warplanes, as well as $260 million for the general Egyptian budget.
France has withheld the delivery of two warships to the Russian navy over its actions in Ukraine.
Indeed, after the Egyptian army's overthrow of Mohammed Morsi in July 2013, the U.S. withheld a delivery of Apaches and over $500 million in U.S. money.
If we withhold food deliveries, the urban areas will feel the impact".
