[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 87 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1337-E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MANDATORY GUN SHOW BACKGROUND CHECK ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2122) to 
     require background checks at gun shows, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Dingell, Oberstar, 
Stenholm, Tanner, Cramer, John amendment.
  The amendment addresses several concerns that are important to my 
constituents in the Fifth District of Michigan. H.R. 2122, as written 
would allow a 72-hour delay at Gun Shows if the instant check is not 
approved. In my district, many of my constitutents purchase their 
firearms at Gun Shows because of the rural nature of this area and 
access to firearms for hunting or self-protection is not readily 
available. The Dingell Amendment would not strike the instant check at 
gun shows, but would lower the 72-hour delay to 24 hours. In many 
cases, a gun show is only in an area for 2 days. The three-day delay 
would prevent many law-abiding citizens from purchasing

[[Page E1338]]

legal firearms. With more than 92 percent of the delays approved, this 
would be a severe restriction for those law-abiding citizens who want 
to exercise their Second Amendment Rights. Under current law, in a 
majority of cases, if the purchaser of the firearm is latter to be 
found in violation of state of federal law, the police were able to 
recover the firearm with little difficulty.
  I strongly believe that we should support every effort to protect the 
rights of law-abiding citizens and punish those who ignore the law--
particularly those who use a firearm and injure or kill their victim. 
This Amendment increases the penalty for criminals who use a banned 
assault weapon in conjunction with a crime.
  A 72-hour check is a back door effort to stop otherwise legal gun 
sales. We can do it instantly with today's technology. If you want to 
ban gun sales then say so. If you want reasonable safety check, then a 
24-hour delay is enough. I urge adoption of the Dingell Amendment.

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