[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 31, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H9384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORT H.R. 43, THE BOMBING PREVENTION ACT

  (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, the United States suffered a terrible 
loss with the recent bombing in Centennial Park in Atlanta. We lost our 
innocence and our faith it will never happen here. It is becoming 
increasingly probable that black or smokeless powder was involved in 
the construction of this deadly pipe bomb.
  I have introduced legislation during the last two Congresses that 
would help identify the perpetrators of this act. The Bombing 
Prevention Act, H.R. 43, would avert future deaths, save lives, and 
prevent families and our Nation as a whole from going through the 
anguish that terrorism leaves in its wake.
  Specifically, my bill would require every person who purchases 
explosives including more than five pounds of black or smokeless powder 
to hold a Federal permit. They would have to provide their name and 
address to the vendor, and indicate the purpose of the explosives 
purchase. This information would be invaluable to law enforcement 
officials investigating terrorism. Under current law, any purchase of 
less than 50 pounds of black powder is exempt from Federal oversight. 
This is crazy--50 pounds can unleash dreadful destruction.
  It would be a crime in itself if this Congress were to adjourn on 
Friday and go home without addressing this issue that has terrified 
every American from sea to shining sea.

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