[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   RESTRICTED EXPLOSIVES CONTROL ACT

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 11, 1995
  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the Restricted 
Explosives Control Act, a consequential piece of legislation that I 
sponsored in the 103d Congress.
  Not only does my legislation require a Federal permit for all 
purchases of explosives, it also dictates that all applicants must 
submit a photograph as well as a set of fingerprints along with their 
permit application. The bill defines ``restricted explosives'' as: high 
explosives, blasting agents, detonators, and more than 50 pounds of 
black powder.
  In addition, the legislation will not unduly burden legitimate 
explosives purchasers. The bill establishes a 6-month grace period, 
before the measure is implemented, to enable people to obtain Federal 
permits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms [ATF].
  During the holiday season of 1993, four mail bombs exploded in 
western New York--taking five innocent lives. Current law enabled those 
accused in the murders to buy the deadly dynamite in Kentucky, simply 
by providing false identification, completing a short form furnished by 
the ATF, and promising not to cross State lines.
  Once this measure is enacted, never again will an individual be able 
to walk into an explosives dealer's office, quickly fill out a short 
Federal form, and walk out with dynamite or some other type of high 
explosive.
  The Restricted Explosives Control Act is endorsed by the Institute of 
Makers of Explosives, the very people who manufacture explosives. The 
bill also is endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
  This legislation is a solid proposal that will prevent such 
tragedies. The fact is that current law allows for dynamite and other 
explosives to be sold over the counter. The Restricted Explosives 
Control Act must be implemented without delay so that we may close that 
deadly loophole in Federal explosives law.


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