[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              THE SAFE ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 2 minutes.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to be joining my colleagues, 
the gentleman from New York [Mr. Ackerman] and the gentlewoman from New 
York [Mrs. McCarthy], in introducing the Stop Arming Felons Act today. 
Today we will introduce it.
  Current law bans convicted felons from owning firearms. However, 
felons may upon release from prison petition the Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms to restore their gun ownership rights.
  Congress acted in 1992 to rein in this program by denying it funds. 
Therefore, no funds have been appropriated since then. However, the 
appeals procedure itself has been maintained in law. Consequently, 
convicted felons are bypassing the ATF by going directly to the courts 
for relief.
  The Stop Arming Felons Act, or we can call it the SAFE Act, using the 
acronym, will help to put a stop to this abuse of the court system and 
the evasion of the will of Congress and the people. The SAFE Act will 
permanently prohibit felons convicted of violent crimes from applying 
for restoration of gun rights, making clear to the courts that their 
appeals may not be considered.
  So I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this SAFE Act.

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