[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUN BAN

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                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, the domestic violence gun ban amendment, 
included in last year's omnibus appropriations bill, was intended to 
protect victims of domestic abuse by prohibiting anyone convicted of a 
domestic violence misdemeanor from purchasing or possessing a handgun. 
Supporters of this provision wanted to ensure that if one spouse was 
convicted of this kind of offense, he or she could not then have access 
to a gun, which could increase the likelihood of deadly violence 
against the abused spouse in the future. However, I do not believe that 
this amendment also intended another consequence: taking away the 
livelihood of some Americans.
  The domestic violence gun ban amendment would make it illegal for law 
enforcement officials to do their job, because it would prohibit them 
from carrying a gun during normal work hours.
  There is a simple answer to this problem. My legislation would allow 
law enforcement officials with past domestic violence misdemeanor 
convictions to carry a handgun on duty while engaged in official police 
business. A police officer with a prior domestic violence conviction 
would pick up his or her gun when beginning a shift at work, and then 
turn in the weapon when they leave to go home. I believe that my 
legislation is a practical solution to allow law enforcement officers 
to continue to do their jobs, while also protecting victims of spousal 
abuse. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

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