[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 42 (Monday, April 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               GUN-FREE PUBLIC HOUSING ZONES ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                         HON. RICHARD J. DURBIN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 1994

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that is 
designed to help reduce the terror of gunfire in our country's public 
housing facilities. I am proposing that the Federal Government lend a 
helping hand to housing authorities which are struggling to cope with 
the violent crime plaguing their communities. Today, I am introducing 
the Gun-Free Public Housing Zones Act of 1994.
  The proliferation of violence, including the scourge of gun violence, 
in public housing is well documented from Los Angeles to Chicago to New 
York City. In some local housing authority facilities, violent 
incidents are two to six times greater than the local average. For 
example, in Los Angeles between 1986 and 1989, reported violent crime, 
including firearm violations, occurred at an average annual rate of 67 
per 1,000 people in public housing developments, compared to 22 per 
1,000 citywide.
  Weapons seizures in public housing facilities have increased 
dramatically since 1990 in Chicago. Last year alone, housing authority 
and Chicago police confiscated over 1100 firearms from inside Chicago 
housing projects, a 22 percent increase from the nearly 900 seizures in 
1990. Equally as disturbing are some recent statistics on the incidence 
of gun shots. Authorities estimate that during one weekend late last 
month, there were over 300 reports of shots fire at one Chicago Housing 
Authority property, the Robert Taylor Homes.
  Last year, the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 
listed 1063 firearms seized and over 1,500 reports of gunfire in public 
housing facilities. The housing authority also reported 135 gun-related 
deaths.
  Across America, weapons and gunfire are quickly becoming commonplace 
in public housing facilities. Children are afraid to play outside or 
even walk to school. Parents risk their lives everytime they walk to 
the bus stop or make a trip to the grocery store. These conditions are 
very real for public housing residents in Chicago and around the 
country.
  And it is not just an urban problem--smaller communities are also 
suffering the horrors of gun violence in public housing. My home town 
of Springfield, IL, has seen a rash of violence and gunfire in the 
Evergreen Terrace housing project and other facilities around the city. 
In Marion County, IL, gun shots frequently ring out from public housing 
units.
  The Department of Housing and Urban Development has responded to the 
proliferation of gun violence by initiating Operation Safe Home. Many 
local public housing authorities have also responded by initiating 
sweeping measures to rid the projects of weapons. I believe it is time 
for Congress to step up and assume some of the responsibility for 
addressing this deadly issue.
  My legislation, the Gun-Free Public Housing Zones Act of 1994, would 
prohibit the possession of an illegal firearm on public housing 
property, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or 
both. It would also prohibit, with certain exceptions, the reckless 
discharge or attempted discharge of any firearm on public housing 
property.
  The Federal Government has a responsibility for the protection and 
well-being of society's most vulnerable citizens. In the past several 
years, Congress has recognized this responsibility by consistently 
passing legislation that prohibits the possession of any guns in 
special school zones.
  This legislation does not prohibit all guns from public housing 
zones. However, it does recognize the special vulnerability of public 
housing residents by increasing the punishment for those caught with 
illegal weapons there. Currently, the penalty for being caught with an 
illegal weapon on public housing property is not an overwhelming 
concern of law-breakers. If this measure is enacted, it certainly will 
be.
  Mr. Speaker, our response to the ever-growing nightmare of gun 
violence in public housing facilities must be comprehensive and 
decisive. I believe this legislation is an important step in the right 
direction.

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