[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 91 (Thursday, June 24, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE

  (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I was going to make some comments 
on the Republican agenda and the best program on where we go on saving 
Social Security, and our best defense, our excellence in education and 
tax relief, but after the previous speaker, I want to mention my 
disappointment that we have not closed the loophole in a vote by this 
House on what happens at gun shows. And for the information of those 
that voted against the loophole closing bill the other day, I just want 
to explain what happens if an individual lies on the form in the 
application to buy the gun and they do not find out that he has 
committed a felony until maybe 2 days later or 3 days later.
  What happens is the FBI and the ATF call local law enforcement 
because this individual has now committed two felonies, one in lying on 
the application; second, taking possession of the gun. They go after 
him.

                              {time}  1030

  They do that immediately. They take him, they prosecute him, they 
confiscate the weapon.
  Additionally, States have the right to impose restrictions as they 
see fit. I am disappointed on that side of the aisle that we did not 
move ahead with closing the loophole.

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