[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 96 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H4920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           URGING SUPPORT FOR RESTRICTIONS ON GUN TRAFFICKERS

  (Mr. BLAGOJEVICH asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has 
struck down the background check provision of the Brady law, it is 
imperative that we have Federal legislation so that States with strong 
gun laws cannot be undermined by those with weak gun laws.
  Take my home State of Illinois, for example. Illinois has tough gun 
laws, including background checks. Other States, unfortunately, are not 
as tough on guns.
  One of Chicago's major highways, Interstate 55, runs through four 
States with gun laws a recent study described as very weak. I-55 is 
otherwise known as the iron pipeline. These States are irresistible to 
Chicago's street gangs and drug dealers who need firearms to protect 
their turf. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, ``Have gun, 
will travel.''
  We can take steps to shut the valve on the iron pipeline and on other 
interstate highways that have become virtual firearm freeways. Join me 
in supporting the bill of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Schumer] 
that would give out mandatory 3-year prison sentences to convicted gun 
smugglers and limit people to one handgun purchase per month.

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