[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E331-E332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      INTRODUCTION OF THE ``PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT OF 1995''

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 13, 1995
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the ``Public Health and 
Safety Act of 1995.'' This legislation, also introduced last Congress 
by Senator John Chafee and myself, would prohibit the transfer or 
possession of handguns and handgun ammunition, except in limited 
circumstances. It would go a long way toward protecting our citizens 
from violent crime.
  [[Page E332]] The need for a ban on handguns cannot be overstated. 
Unlike rifles and shotguns, handguns are easily concealable. 
Consequently, they are the weapons of choice in most murders, 
accounting for 10,000 homicides a year and nearly 13,000 suicides a 
year. In fact, handguns account for 78 percent of all firearm crimes 
even though they represent only 25 percent of all firearms in 
circulation.
  Most other industrialized countries have a virtual ban on handgun 
sales, which accounts for the vast difference in homicide rate between 
the United States and these other nations. In 1990, handguns killed 
only 22 people in Great Britain, 13 in Sweden, 91 in Switzerland, 87 in 
Japan, 10 in Australia, and 68 in Canada. In the United States, handgun 
fatalities totaled 10,567.
  Unfortunately, gun violence is getting worse in this country, not 
better. Between 1960 and 1980, the Nation's firearm death rate 
increased 160 percent while the rate for other homicides declined. In 
1993, death rates from firearm injuries and motor vehicle injuries were 
statistically equal, making it almost certain that firearms will emerge 
as the Nation's leading cause of traumatic death in 1994 once the 
figures have been tabulated. At these rates, 3 million people will have 
been shot (including 350,000 fatalities) by the end of the year 2000 
since the beginning of 1993.
  Dr. James R. Hughes, a fellow with the American Academy of 
Pediatrics, has analogized the epidemic of handgun violence in this 
country to that of polio in the early 1950's. At that time, there were 
10,000 cases of crippling polio a year in the United States. By the 
late 1980's, that number had been reduced to 10. Today, instead of 
enduring 10,000 cases of polio, we watch as 10,000 people are murdered 
by handguns each year. Yet somehow, there are many people in this 
country who do not feel we need to search for a cure for the disease of 
violence. I could not disagree more.
  If we do not act now, the ``gun culture'' will continue to thrive, 
sapping our health care system of its much needed resources. As the 
victims of gun violence pour in, hospitals across the Nation are 
closing affiliated trauma centers because of
 the spiraling costs associated with treating gunshot wounds. From 1989 
to 1991, the average per-patient cost of gunshot wounds at a major New 
York hospital was $9,646. That figure does not even consider the costs 
of ambulance services, follow-up care, medication, and rehabilitation.

  Furthermore, studies have shown that firearm injuries are more costly 
than any other type of injury. The total cost of firearm injuries in 
1990 was $20.4 billion. That figure includes direct costs, indirect 
costs, and life years lost. It represents a 42 percent increase in 
costs from 1985 to 1990.
  Over the same 5-year period, direct medical costs from firearm 
injuries exhibited the greatest increase--55 percent--and totaled $1.4 
billion for 1990. Other studies have placed direct medical costs as 
high as $4 billion a year.
  The ``Public Health and Safety Act of 1995'' would abate the rising 
tide of handgun violence and its negative impact on the viability of 
our health care system. It would prohibit the importation, exportation, 
manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, possession, or 
transportation of handguns and handgun ammunition. Violators would be 
subject to penalties of up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
  A 6-month ``grace period'' would be established during which time 
handguns could be turned in to any law enforcement agency with impunity 
and for reimbursement at the greater of $25 or the fair market value of 
the handgun. After the grace period's expiration, handguns could be 
turned in voluntarily with impunity from criminal prosecution, but a 
civil fine of $500 would be imposed.
  Exemptions from the handgun ban would be permitted for Federal, 
State, or local government agencies, including military and law 
enforcement; collectors of antique firearms; federally-licensed handgun 
sporting clubs; federally-licensed professional security guard 
services; and federally-licensed dealers, importers, or manufacturers.
  I urge the Judiciary Committee to consider this legislation without 
delay. While passage of the Brady bill and assault weapons ban were 
good initial steps toward reducing gun violence, passage of this bill 
would be the giant leap forward this country so desperately needs.
  The ``Public Health and Safety Act of 1995'' represents an approach 
to handgun control which deserves the support of all Members of 
Congress who want to stop gun murders now. If this legislation is not 
passed swiftly, handguns will continue to be sold ``over the counter'' 
as easily as aspirin; the nation's at-risk youth will continue to 
attempt to resolve their problems by turning to handgun violence; and 
all of us will continue to fear for our lives when we step out of our 
homes at night.


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