[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

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                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 1999

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, gun related violence is an issue 
that has, in recent years adversely affected the lives of American 
children and adults. We have a responsibility, as leaders and parents 
to address this problem and work towards creating a solution. Children 
should feel safe in our Nation's urban and rural areas, and in order to 
create an environment that is a safe one, we must deal with the issue 
of the misuse and abuse of guns. I feel that this issue may be 
addressed by requiring manufacturers to fit firearms with a child 
safety lock. Therefore, I felt that it was necessary to introduce the 
Child Safety Lock Act of 1999.
  This bill will prohibit any person from transferring or selling a 
firearm, in the United States, unless it is sold with a child safety 
lock. Further, this legislation would prohibit the transfer or sale of 
firearms by federally licensed dealers and manufacturers unless a child 
safety lock is an integral component of the firearm.
  A child safety lock is a locking mechanism that attaches to the 
trigger guard of a firearm. The device fits over the trigger guard and 
the trigger, preventing the firearm from unintentionally discharging. 
Once the device is properly applied, it cannot be removed unless it is 
unlocked.
  According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, more 
than 5,000 innocent boys and girls have lost their lives due to 
unintentional firearm related death. Between 1983 and 1994, 5,523 males 
between the ages of 1 and 19 were killed by the unintentional discharge 
of a firearm. The loss of these young lives can be prevented, which is 
why this legislation is necessary.
  To improve the quality of life for children and adults, and avoid the 
continued senseless bloodshed and loss of life of children around this 
country, we should work together to pass the Child Safety Lock Act of 
1999. It is our obligation to protect our children. This bill does just 
that, it protects our children and it protects their future.

                  Summary of Legislation as Introduced

     Section 1. Short title
       This Act may be cited as the ``Child Safety Lock Act of 
     1999.''
     Section 2. Findings
       Presents findings to support the need for this legislation.


                      Title 1--Criminal Provisions

     Section 101. Handgun safety
       Defines what a locking device is, provides for locking 
     devices and warnings on handguns and penalties related to 
     locking devices and warnings.


                     Title 2--Regulatory Provisions

     Section 201. Regulation of trigger lock devices
       Establishes general authority for the Secretary of the 
     Treasury to prescribe regulations governing trigger lock 
     devices.
     Section 202. Orders inspections
       Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to issue an order and/
     or inspections regarding a trigger lock device which is in 
     violation of this title.
     Section 203. Enforcement
       Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to assess civil 
     penalties and/or criminal penalties for violation of a 
     provision of this title.
     Section 204. No effect on State law
       This title does not annul, alter, impair, or affect, or 
     exempt any person subject to the provisions of this title 
     from complying with, any provision of the law of any State or 
     any political subdivision thereof, except to the extent that 
     such provisions of State law are inconsistent with any 
     provision of this title, and then only to the extent of the 
     inconsistency.
     Section 205. Definitions
       Defines terms used in this title.


                      TITLE 3--EDUCATION PROVISIONS

     Section 301. Portion of firearms tax revenue to be used for 
         public education on safe storage of firearms
       Uses 2 percent of the firearms tax revenue and uses it for 
     public education on the safe storage and use of firearms.

     

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