[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 31, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H9382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               TERRORISM

  (Mr. DURBIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. Speaker, the image of terrorism are ingrained in our 
minds. What was often seen as someone else's problem is now our 
problem.
  If America is being terrorized without and within, this Congress 
should not be terrorized by special interest groups opposed to 
legislation which would protect us. When Congress passed its 
antiterrorism bill, the gun lobby opposed a provision which would have 
required tracer particles in explosives so that law enforcement could 
track the source of terrorist bombs. Sadly, more than 200 Members of 
Congress bowed to the NRA and voted to deny the FBI this important tool 
to fight terrorism.
  Now we are being asked to pass additional antiterrorism legislation 
in light of the recent tragedies. But the gun lobby has once again made 
it clear that it will oppose any effort to put tracers in explosives.
  As America would not be intimidated by terrorists, this Congress 
should not be intimidated by the gun lobby. Before we go home this 
week, let us pass an antiterrorism bill that will protect American 
families, not protect special interest groups.

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