[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E345-E346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DRUGS AND GUNS: A LETHAL COMBINATION

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 1996

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation which 
would ensure that drug abusers who break the law do not have access to 
firearms. My legislation, which was part of the 103d Congress' 
Republican crime bill, would impose strict penalties and fines for 
misdemeanor during crimes such as use or possession of an illegal 
substance when a firearm is present. Similar to legislation I have 
introduced in past years, my bill has had the endorsement of the 
Pennsylvania State Chiefs of Police and the National Association of 
Chiefs of Police.
  Under current Federal law, a person convicted of a felony crime 
involving drugs and firearms faces increased criminal penalties and is 
also prohibited from legally owning a firearm. This is not the case, 
however for individuals convicted of less serious drug offenses.
  My legislation is simple: It expands current law to treat individuals 
who commit less-serious drug offenses in the same manner as people 
involved in other drug crimes, such as drug-trafficking. Any person 
found guilty of a drug crime not currently classified as a felony, 
including simple possession of a controlled substance, and who 
possesses a firearm at the time of the offense, will face mandatory 
jail time and/or substantial fines in addition to any penalty imposed 
for the drug offense. For second or subsequent offenses, jail time and 
fines are mandated.

[[Page E346]]

  Furthermore, the guilty party will be prohibited from owning a 
firearm for 5 years. Exceptions to this rule can be made, however, 
depending upon the circumstances surrounding each individual's case. 
Present law states that a person convicted of a drug crime can petition 
to the Secretary of the Treasury for an exemption to the firearms 
prohibition if they can prove ``that the circumstances regarding the 
conviction, and the applicant's record and reputation, are such that 
the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public 
safety and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the 
public interest.''
  Certainly the time has come for serious efforts to convince people 
who use drugs that the cost of engaging in this activity is 
prohibitive. If my bill becomes law, individuals owning firearms for 
legitimate purposes (hunting, target-shooting, collecting, or personal 
protection) and who also engage in the use of illicit drugs, will think 
twice before participating in their drug-related endeavors, facing the 
prospect of enhanced penalties and the loss of their firearms.
  This legislation will not affect a law-abiding citizen's right to own 
a firearm. By imposing stiff penalties on people convicted of lesser 
drug offenses where a firearm is present, we will send a serious 
message that the cost of engaging in this activity far outweighs the 
benefit. Drugs and guns are a lethal combination, exacting a terrible 
toll on this Nation.

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