[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     INTRODUCTION OF THE ``FIREARMS SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION 
                             ACT OF 1995''

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                  in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 13, 1995
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, which product is virtually exempt from 
consumer regulation? Toasters, teddy bears, trucks, or guns? Most 
Americans would be surprised by the answer: handguns and other firearms 
for all intents and purposes are unregulated.
  Almost every product sold in America comes under the health and 
safety regulation of a Federal agency. The Consumer Product Safety 
Commission regulates the safety of consumer products used in and around 
the house and in recreation. The Environmental Protection Agency is in 
charge of toxic chemicals and ensuring that pesticides which present 
unreasonable and adverse effects on the health and environment are not 
sold.
  In contrast, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms [ATF]--the 
Federal agency with jurisdiction over the firearms industry and its 
products--only can issue manufacture and dealer licenses while 
enforcing the few Federal gun controls that are in place. The agency 
has no power to ensure that guns sold are safe for their intended use 
and lacks the authority to prohibit the manufacture or sale of current 
or new firearms technology that poses a significant threat to public 
safety.
  The gun industry has taken full advantage of this laissez-faire 
environment. In the wake of a handgun sales slump in the early 1980's, 
the industry moved to take advantage of this situation with a new focus 
on firepower and technology. The industry also expanded its market 
base. Recognizing the saturation of its primary market of white males, 
the gun industry--just like the tobacco and alcohol manufacturers 
before it--has directed its niche marketing tactics at minorities, 
women, and youth.
  The result of the gun industry's actions has been a literal epidemic 
of gun violence. Guns claim more than 38,000 lives a year. And contrary 
to public perception, most of these deaths are not crime related. The 
most common means of gun death is suicide (18,885 in 1990), and the 
most common scenario leading to a homicide is not felony activity, but 
arguments between people who know each other.
  Additionally, it is estimated that each year firearms injure more 
than 150,000 Americans. The resulting monetary costs are staggering. 
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that in 1990, the total 
lifetime economic costs of firearm death and injury were $20.4 billion. 
What these figures reveal is that firearms violence has created a 
public health crisis of which crime is merely the most visible aspect.
  Today, I am introducing a bill, the Firearms Safety and Violence 
Prevention Act, which takes the first step in beginning to reduce 
firearms death and injury in America by recognizing firearms for what 
they are--inherently dangerous consumer products. This comprehensive 
bill would give ATF the power to protect citizens from unreasonable 
risk of injury resulting from the use of firearms or related products. 
ATF would have the ability to set safety standards, issue recalls of 
defective firearms, and mandate warnings. Only if such measures failed 
to prevent the public from being exposed to an unreasonable risk of 
injury could ATF then prohibit the manufacture or sale of a specific 
firearm. The bill itself does not ban any firearms.
  The firearms industry's assertion that guns don't kill you rings as 
hollow as the discredited promises of the tobacco lobby that cigarettes 
don't cause cancer. Fore more than a century, America's gun 
manufacturers have operated in the shadows, avoiding public scrutiny. 
It is time for Congress to look behind the gun store counter to the 
industry that manufactures these deadly products.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to hold 
hearings on this important piece of legislation.

[[Page E334]]

  


                       SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

  Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate on February 
4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized 
schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees, 
subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This 
title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate 
Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place, 
and purpose of the meetings, when scheduled, and any cancellations or 
changes in the meetings as they occur.
  As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this 
information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this 
information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the 
Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week.
  Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 1995, may be found in 
the Daily Digest of today's Record.

                           MEETINGS SCHEDULED

                              FEBRUARY 15
     9:00 a.m.
       Labor and Human Resources
         To hold hearings on S. 141, to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act 
           of 1931 to provide new job opportunities, effect 
           significant cost savings on federal construction 
           contracts, promote small business participation in 
           Federal contracting, and reduce unnecessary paperwork 
           and reporting requirements.
                                                            SD-430
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Defense Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for defense programs, focusing on Pacific 
           issues.
                                                            SD-116
       Armed Services
         To hold hearings on the nominations of Alton W. Cornelia, 
           of South Dakota, Rebecca G. Cox, of California, Gen. 
           James B. Davis, USAF (Ret.), of Florida, S. Lee Kling, 
           of Maryland, Benjamin F. Montoya, of New Mexico, and 
           Wendi Louise Steele, of Texas, each to be a Member of 
           the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
                                                            SD-106
       Budget
         To hold hearings to examine the funding of international 
           affairs in a balanced budget environment.
                                                            SD-608
       Energy and Natural Resources
         To hold hearings on the President's proposed budget 
           request for fiscal year 1996 for the Forest Service.
                                                            SD-366
       Finance
         To hold hearings to examine the tax treatment of capital 
           gains and losses, focusing on the economic and tax 
           implications of a capital gains tax cut.
                                                            SD-215
       Special on Aging
         Business meeting, to consider pending committee business.
                                                            SD-562
     2:00 p.m.
       Environment and Public Works
         To hold hearings on the President's proposed budget 
           request for fiscal year 1996 for the Environmental 
           Protection Agency.
                                                            SD-406
       Judiciary
       Antitrust, Business Rights, and Competition Subcommittee
         To hold hearings to examine the court imposed major 
           league baseball antitrust exemption.
                                                            SD-226

                              FEBRUARY 16
     9:30 a.m.
       Armed Services
         To resume hearings on proposed legislation authorizing 
           funds for fiscal year 1996 for the Department of 
           Defense, and the future years defense program, focusing 
           on the military strategies and operational requirements 
           of the unified commands.
                                                            SR-222
       Budget
         To hold hearings to examine proposed reforms for 
           agriculture support programs.
                                                            SD-608
       Energy and Natural Resources
         To hold hearings on the President's proposed budget 
           request for fiscal year 1996 for the Department of the 
           Interior.
                                                            SD-366
       Finance
         To continue hearings to examine the tax treatment of 
           capital gains and losses, focusing on indexing assets 
           to eliminate tax on gains caused by inflation; to be 
           followed by a business meeting to consider the 
           nominations of Shirley Sears Chater, of Texas, to be 
           Commissioner of Social Security, Maurice B. Foley, of 
           California, and Juan F. Vasquex, each to be a Judge of 
           the United States Tax Court.
                                                            SD-215
       Indian Affairs
         To continue hearings on proposed legislation authorizing 
           funds for fiscal year 1996 for Indian programs.
                                                            SR-485
       Joint Economic
         To hold hearings to examine enforcement mechanisms for 
           the proposed balanced budget amendment.
                                                            SD-562
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Foreign Operations Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for foreign assistance, focusing on U.S. 
           policy toward Russia and the New Independent States.
                                                            SD-192
       Labor and Human Resources
       Children and Families Subcommittee
         To hold hearings to examine the effectiveness of the 
           Federal child care and development block grant program.
                                                            SD-430
     2:00 p.m.
       Foreign Relations
         To hold hearings on the nominations of Johnnie Carson, of 
           Illinois, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe, 
           and Bismarck Myrick, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to 
           the Kingdom of Lesotho.
                                                            SD-419
       Small Business
         To hold hearings on the small business owner's 
           perspective on the Small Business Administration.
                                                           SR-428A
     2:30 p.m.
       Foreign Relations
         To hold hearings to examine trade and investment in 
           Africa.
                                                            SD-419

                              FEBRUARY 17
     10:00 a.m.
       Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Briefing 
           to assess the goals of United States assistance to 
           Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent 
           States of the former Soviet Union.
                                             2200 Rayburn Building

                              FEBRUARY 22
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Corporation for National and 
           Community Service, the Selective Service System, the 
           Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Consumer 
           Information Center, and the Office of Consumer Affairs.
                                                            SD-138
       Labor and Human Resources
         To hold hearings on proposed legislation authorizing 
           funds for programs of the Ryan White Care Act of 1990.
                                                            SD-430

                              FEBRUARY 23
     9:30 a.m.
       Labor and Human Resources
       Education, Arts and Humanities Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed legislation authorizing 
           funds for programs of the National Foundation on the 
           Arts and Humanities Act of 1965.
                                                            SD-430
     2:00 p.m.
       Indian Affairs
         To hold oversight hearings to examine the structure and 
           funding of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
                                                            SR-485

                              FEBRUARY 24
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the American Battle Monuments Commission, 
           and Cemeterial Expenses, Army.
                                                            SD-138

                                MARCH 1
     9:30 a.m.
       Veterans' Affairs
         To hold joint hearings with the House Committee on 
           Veterans' Affairs to review the legislative 
           recommendations of the Disabled American Veterans. 345 
           Cannon Building

                                MARCH 2
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Department of Transportation.
                                                            SD-192

                         [[Page E335]] MARCH 3
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the National Credit Union Administration, 
           the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, the Federal 
           Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Resolution Trust 
           Corporation-Inspector General.
                                                            SD-138

                                MARCH 7
     9:30 a.m.
       Veterans' Affairs
         To hold joint hearings with the House Committee on 
           Veterans' Affairs to review the legislative 
           recommendations of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
                                               345 Cannon Building
     10:00 a.m.
       Indian Affairs
         To hold oversight hearings to review Federal programs 
           which address the challenges facing Indian youth.
                                                            SR-485

                                MARCH 9
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the National Transportation Safety Board.
                                                            SD-192

                                MARCH 10
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the National Science Foundation, and the 
           Office of Science and Technology Policy.
                                                            SD-138

                                MARCH 16
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Federal Highway Administration, 
           Department of Transportation.
                                                            SD-192

                                MARCH 17
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
                                                            SD-138

                                MARCH 23
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Federal Railroad Administration, 
           Department of Transportation, and the National 
           Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak).
                                                            SD-192

                                MARCH 24
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Department of Housing and Urban 
           Development.
                                                            SD-138

                                MARCH 30
     9:30 a.m.
       Veterans' Affairs
         To hold joint hearings with the House Committee on 
           Veterans' Affairs to review the legislative 
           recommendations of AMVETS, American Ex-Prisoners of 
           War, Vietnam Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans 
           Association, and the Military Order of the Purple 
           Heart.
                                               345 Cannon Building
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Federal Aviation Administration, 
           Department of Transportation.
                                                            SD-192

                                MARCH 31
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
           Court of Veteran's Appeals, and Veterans Affairs 
           Service Organizations.
                                                            SD-138

                                APRIL 5
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the National Aeronautics and Space 
           Administration.
                                                            SD-192

                                APRIL 27
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Federal Transit Administration, 
           Department of Transportation.
                                                            SD-192

                                 MAY 3
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
           Council on Environmental Quality, and the Agency for 
           Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
                                                            SD-192

                                 MAY 4
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Transportation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for the United States Coast Guard, Department 
           of Transportation.
                                                            SD-192

                                 MAY 5
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1996 for Environmental Protection Agency science 
           programs.
                                                            SD-138
Vol. 141


WASHINGTON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1995

No. 28


House of Representatives