II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3768 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 1, 2006 Mr. Leahy (for himself, Mr. Specter, Mr. Dorgan, and Mr. Harkin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To prohibit the procurement of victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Victim-Activated Landmine Abolition Act of 2006.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated indiscriminately threaten lives in more than 80 countries. Civilians, including tens of thousands of children, have been the primary victims of these weapons. (2)Victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated have killed and maimed United States and coalition troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. (3)The United States was the first nation to call for a comprehensive ban on antipersonnel landmines in 1994 and has not exported antipersonnel mines since 1992, produced antipersonnel landmines since 1997, or used antipersonnel landmines since 1991. (4)The United States sets an example for the world by remaining a global leader in funding for mine clearance, mine risk education, and mine survivor assistance. (5)The United States has acquired reliable technology that enables all weapons to be equipped with man-in-the-loop targeting and triggering capabilities, meaning that the device can be activated only in response to an intentional act by a person.

3.

Sense of congress

The United States Government should continue to set an example for other countries by banning procurement of victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated.

4.

Prohibition

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Government may not procure victim-activated landmines or any other weapon designed to be victim-activated in any circumstance.