[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S6993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S. 992. A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, 
to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for offenses involving 
stolen firearms; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


             the stolen gun penalty enhancement act of 1997

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, many crimes in our country are being 
committed with stolen guns. The extent of this problem is reflected in 
a number of recent studies and news reports. Therefore, today I am 
introducing the Stolen Gun Penalty Enhancement Act of 1997 to increase 
the maximum prison sentences for violating existing stolen gun laws.
  Reports indicate almost half a million guns are stolen each year. As 
of March 1995, there were over 2 million reports in the stolen gun file 
of the FBI's National Crime Information Center including 7,700 reports 
of stolen machine guns and submachine guns. In a 5 year period between 
1987 and 1992, the National Crime Victimization Survey notes that there 
were over 300,000 incidents of guns stolen from private citizens.
   Studies conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 
note that felons steal firearms to avoid background checks. A 1991 
Bureau of Justice Statistics survey of State prison inmates notes that 
almost 10 percent had stolen a handgun, and over 10 percent of all 
inmates had traded or sold a stolen firearm.
  This problem is especially alarming among young people. A Justice 
Department study of juvenile inmates in four States shows that over 50 
percent of those inmates had stolen a gun.
  In my home State of Colorado, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation 
receives over 500 reports of stolen guns each month. As of this month, 
the Bureau has a total of 34,825 firearms on its unrecovered firearms 
list.
  All of these studies and statistics show the extent of the problem of 
stolen guns. Therefore, the bill I am introducing today will increase 
the maximum prison sentences for violating existing stolen gun laws.
  Specifically, my bill increases the maximum penalty for violating 
four provisions of the firearms laws. Under section 922(i) of title 18 
of the United States Code, it is illegal to knowingly transport or ship 
a stolen firearm or stolen ammunition. Under section 922(j) of title 
18, it is illegal to knowingly receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, 
or otherwise dispose of a stolen firearm or stolen ammunition.
  The penalty for violating either of these provisions, as provided by 
section 924(a)(2) of title 18, is a fine, a maximum term of 
imprisonment of 10 years, or both. My bill increases the maximum prison 
sentence to 15 years.
  The third provision, set forth in section 922(u) of title 18, makes 
it illegal to steal a firearm from a licensed dealer, importer, or 
manufacturer. For violating this provision, the maximum term of 
imprisonment set forth in 18 U.S.C. 924(i)(1) would be increased to a 
maximum 15 years under my bill.
  And the fourth provision, section 924(l) of title 18, makes it 
illegal to steal a firearm from any person, including a licensed 
firearms collector. This provision also imposes a maximum penalty of 10 
years imprisonment. As with the other three provisions, my bill 
increases this maximum penalty to 15 years.
  In addition to these amendments to title 18 of the United States 
Code, the bill I introduce today directs the United States Sentencing 
Commission to revise the Federal sentencing guidelines with respect to 
these firearms offenses.
  Mr. President, I am a strong supporter of the rights of law-abiding 
gun owners. However, I firmly believe we need tough penalties for the 
illegal use of firearms.
  The ``Stolen Gun Penalty Enhancement Act of 1997'' will send a strong 
signal to criminals who are even thinking about stealing a firearm. 
And, I urge my colleagues to join in support of this legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 992

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. STOLEN FIREARMS.

       (a) In General.--Section 924 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(i), (j),''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (i) or (j) of 
     section 922 shall be fined as provided in this title, 
     imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.'';
       (2) in subsection (i)(1), by striking ``10 years'' and 
     inserting ``15 years''; and
       (3) in subsection (l), by striking ``10 years'' and 
     inserting ``15 years''.
       (b) Sentencing Commission.--The United States Sentencing 
     Commission shall amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to 
     reflect the amendments made by subsection (a).
                                 ______