[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRESS SHOULD ENACT GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION NOW

  (Mr. CUMMINGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, when manufactured products injure our 
children, we must act. When manufactured products play a role in the 
death of our children, we must act. This concept is simple and is not 
new. For years safety regulations have been promulgated aimed at 
protecting our children from certain products.
  I hold in my hand a product that is small but has maimed or taken the 
lives of thousands, a firecracker. Forty percent of its victims have 
been children under 15 years of age. Fortunately, however, injury rates 
from this product are at an all-time low, dropping 30 percent from 1995 
to 1996 alone. Why? Federal safety regulations. In other words, we took 
action.
  It took decades of tragic experience to teach us this lesson. We are 
now facing a similar situation. Thirteen of our Nation's youth are 
dying each day from a manufactured product, guns.
  I submit that we learn our lesson now. Again, this concept is simple. 
It is not new. Let us act this week to ensure the safety of our 
children.

                          ____________________