[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 100 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H5579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NO REASON FOR DEMOCRATS TO VOTE DOWN GUN CONTROL BILL

  (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 would like to follow up the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) on the gun issue.
  Many of us felt that it was important to close the loophole at gun 
shows. The question and the argument centered around the question--Is 
24 hours reasonable to have a criminal history check?
  I am from Michigan. In Michigan we have required a criminal history 
check to purchase a hand gun for the last 50 years. So the 
reasonableness of keeping guns out of the hands of felons is something 
I think most of us should agree on.
  To close the loophole, at gun shows where individuals that are not 
licensed gun dealers sell guns to other individuals at the show, a law 
change is necessary. The suggestion that came from the Democratic side 
of the aisle to require 24 hours for a criminal history check.
  I called the FBI. They reported that with the current 3 days, 
sometimes they miss that an individual has committed a felony. But what 
happens is the FBI immediately call the ATF, the local law enforcement, 
because they have committed two felonies. Once in their certification 
and once taking possession of a gun. They immediately go after them. 
They prosecute them. They confiscate the gun.
  There was no reason for the Democrats to have voted down this gun 
control bill that would have closed this gun show loop-hole.

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