[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 45 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E475-E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PERSONAL EXTENSION

                                 ______


                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 27, 1996

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 22, 1996, I was in 
California, and therefore, was absent for consideration of H.R. 125. If 
I has been present for recorded vote No. 92 on passage of H.R. 125, I 
would have voted ``aye.''
  H.R. 125, the Gun Crime Enforcement and Second Amendment Restoration 
Act, repeals the misguided prohibition on the manufacture, transfer, 
and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons. I have consistently 
opposed any ban on these types of weapons.
  The notion that assault weapons are disproportionately used in 
committing crimes is false. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 
estimates that there is approximately one assault weapon traced for 
every 4,000 violent crimes reported to the police. Clearly, these are 
not the weapons of choice for criminals.
  Furthermore, I believe that crime deterrence lies not in gun control 
but in the enforcement and strengthening of our laws. For example, H.R. 
125 enhances our laws by creating mandatory minimum prison sentences 
for violent or drug-related crimes committed with a gun and 
establishing Federal task forces in each U.S. attorney's district to 
coordinate State and local law enforcement officers in Federal 
prosecution efforts.
  Finally, despite predictions that the assault weapon ban would 
significantly reduce crime in America, it has become apparent that, in

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fact, the only effect the ban has had was to place more restrictions on 
honest law-abiding gunowners.

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