[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION OPPOSING REPEAL OF GUN CONTROL LAWS

  (Mr. SKAGGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, the Oklahoma City bombing has left Americans 
looking for ways to prevent other terrorist assaults on innocent 
victims. One thing Congress can do is refuse to let the gun lobby blow 
away the landmark gun control laws passed during the 103d Congress.
  Today I am introducing a resolution expressing the sense of Congress 
that the Brady bill, the assault weapons ban, and the juvenile handgun 
ban should not be repealed. These laws are balanced efforts to control 
crime that are proving effective in keeping guns out of the wrong 
hands, while respecting the rights of law-abiding Americans to own 
firearms. To let these laws be tossed aside as a political favor to a 
special interest would be a national tragedy.
  At the beginning of this Congress, the gun lobby announced its plan 
to get these laws taken off the books. They have paused in their effort 
in the wake of the Oklahoma tragedy. But rest assured, it is only a 
tactical pause, and it will not last long.
  Oklahoma City is chilling evidence that a few individuals with 
extremist views can use weapons of enormous power to kill and maim. 
Tragically, the toll inflicted each day with handguns and military-
style assault weapons is almost as great.
  Our commitment to fighting domestic terrorism should start with 
keeping the Brady bill, the assault weapons ban and the juvenile 
handgun ban in effect. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.


                          ____________________