[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                LEGISLATION CONCERNING ``CODE GRABBERS''

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to crack 
down on criminals who would use ``code grabbers'' to break into and 
steal automobiles.
  Increasingly, car owners are installing costly auto security systems 
to deter theft. However, thieves can use code grabbers to completely 
neutralize those security systems. A small electronic device, the code 
grabber can intercept the coded signal sent from a car owners' remote 
transmitter, then repeat the code to disarm the alarm and unlock the 
vehicle.
  Incredibly, current Federal law does not outlaw the criminal use of 
these devices. My bill would make it a Federal crime to use the code 
grabber for illicit purposes.
  Although time is too short for any congressional action on my 
legislation this year, I intend to pursue this issue in the 104th 
Congress. We must ensure that honest law-abiding citizens are protected 
from the criminal use of these type of devices.

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