[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CHILD SAFETY AND YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

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                          HON. JAMES E. ROGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, today, the House Judiciary Committee will 
introduce legislation designed to help fight the scourge of violence 
among young people. Included in this bill is a proposal I authored with 
my colleague Rod Blagojevich  of Illinois.
  Our plan, HR 1717, known as the Violent Youth Offender Accountability 
Act, will prohibit violent juvenile felons from ever purchasing a 
firearm. Under current law, many states permit juveniles who have been 
convicted of violent felonies to have their criminal records expunged 
upon reaching age 18. As a result, it is perfectly legal for a juvenile 
with a record as a violent felon to legally purchase a deadly weapon. 
Mr. Speaker, this is wrong.
  As many of my colleagues know, I spent nearly a dozen years as a 
criminal trial court judge and gang murder prosecutor. Some of the most 
serious crimes I have seen were committed by juveniles. We need to 
ensure that our streets are kept safe, and that young people learn how 
serious committing a violent crime can be. One of the surest ways to 
meet this goal is by keeping firearms out of the hands of serious 
criminals of any age.
  We must also take steps to ensure that the law applies equally to all 
Americans. The Juvenile Justice bill includes a key provision of our 
bill which will apply the same standard to juveniles as to adults who 
have committed serious felonies. Crimes that are considered ``serious 
violent felonies'' and would disqualify an adult from legally 
purchasing a firearm must also apply to juveniles. Under current 
federal law, these crimes include: murder, rape, manslaughter, robbery, 
extortion, arson and similar severe crimes.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to keep guns out of the hands of violent 
criminals. I am proud that my colleague Rod Blagojevich  and I have 
reached across party lines to stand for what is right: protecting our 
nation's youth. Later this week, the Judiciary Committee will mark up 
legislation incorporating our proposals and a number of key measures to 
ensure that the same goal is met. We must not cease in our efforts to 
ensure safe, effective schools and communities our children deserve 
nothing less.

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