[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H3069-H3070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 1512, THE FIREARM CHILD SAFETY LOCK ACT OF 1999

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, children are killing children. 
This madness, this destructive behavior must stop. Gun-related violence 
has plagued our Nation and jeopardized the safety of our children.
  According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, more 
than 5,000 innocent boys and girls have lost their lives due to 
unintentional firearms related deaths. Between 1983 and 1994, 5,523 
males between the ages of 1 and 19 were killed by the unintentional 
discharge of a firearm.
  Currently, a child dies from gunfire every 100 minutes in America, 12 
times the rate of the next 25 industrialized nations combined. Each day 
in America, 14 children die from gunfire, a classroom full every 2 
days.
  Mr. Speaker, it is our responsibility, no, it is in fact our 
obligation as parents and leaders to protect our Nation's children from 
the senseless deaths caused by the unintentional and intentional 
discharge of firearms.
  To address this problem, I have reintroduced my bill, the Firearm 
Child Safety Lock Act of 1999. My bill, H.R. 1512, the Firearm Safety 
Lock bill, will prohibit any person from transferring or selling a 
firearm in the United States unless it is sold with a child safety 
lock. In addition, this legislation will prohibit the transfer or sale 
of firearms by federally licensed dealers and manufacturers unless a 
child safety lock is part of the firearm.
  A child safety lock, when properly attached to the trigger guard of a 
firearm, would prevent a firearm from unintentionally discharging. Once 
the safety lock is properly applied it cannot be removed unless it is 
unlocked. This legislation will protect our children and increase the 
safety of firearms.
  The bill also has an education provision, which provides for a 
portion of

[[Page H3070]]

the firearm's tax revenue to be used for education on the safe storage 
and use of firearms.
  This bill in no way prohibits a buyer from purchasing a firearm 
unless it is sold without a child safety lock. A child safety lock will 
be included in the firearm when it is purchased.
  Knowing that many citizens are concerned about gun laws, because they 
believe these laws may affect their constitutional rights, I would like 
to make it clear that this bill does not interfere with a citizen's 
constitutional rights. It only gives our children the right to life 
without the fear of another Jonesboro, Edinboro, Fayetteville, 
Springfield, Richmond, West Paducah and Littleton.
  We must create a safe environment in our Nation's urban, rural and 
suburban areas for our children. We must avoid the continued senseless 
bloodshed and loss of life of children around this country. We must be 
proactive, Mr. Speaker, and address this problem. This bill does just 
that. It protects our children and it protects their future.

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