[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 50 (Thursday, April 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3026-S3027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Lautenberg):
  S. 2482. A bill to assist States and units of local government in 
carrying out Safe Homes-Safe Streets programs; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.


                      SAFE HOMES-SAFE STREETS ACT

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation 
along with Senator Lautenberg to help communities voluntarily reduce 
the number of guns in their homes and on their streets. There are over 
200 million guns in America today. Alarmingly, that is almost one for 
every man, woman, and child in this country. Of those 200 million guns, 
66 million are hand guns and the number of assault weapons is 
increasing. Although statistics show a 4.7% decrease in the rate of 
firearm-related injuries from 1996 to 1997, the rate of a firearm-
related injuries is still unacceptably high.
  More than 600,000 gun crimes are committed in the United States each 
year. On average, approximately 200 people are wounded by guns and 
approximately 88 people are killed by guns everyday. Twelve American 
children, under the age of 19, are killed by guns everyday. The rate of 
accidental shooting deaths for children under the age of 15 in the 
United States is nine times higher than the rate of the other 25 
industrialized nations combined. Firearm homicides are the second 
leading cause of death for youth 15-24. Firearm suicide is the third 
leading cause of death in this age group. Handguns account for nearly 
70% of firearm suicides among all age groups. Guns kept in the home for 
self-protection are three times more likely to kill a friend or a 
relative than an intruder.
  The human cost of gun violence is great. Saving families from 
senseless deaths caused by gun violence is long over due. Reducing the 
number of guns in our homes and in our streets is essential to curbing 
gun violence in this country.
  In economic terms, it is estimated that the lifetime medical costs of 
the 134,445 gunshot injuries in the United States in 1994 was $2.3 
billion. The average medical cost per injury was about $17,000. The 
medical cost of gunshot injuries due to assaults was about $1.7 
billion. Taxpayers paid 49% or $1.1 billion of these medical costs. The 
estimated indirect costs of gunshot injuries, the value of lost 
productivity due to fatal and non-fatal injuries, was about $19.7 
billion in 1994.
  There are also non-economic costs which include pain and suffering of 
the survivors, the fear which inevitably permeates all strata of 
society, the societal and emotional stress on both adults and children, 
and the influence gun related violence can have on a community.
  The multiple costs of gun-related injuries--the human cost, the 
economic cost, and the non-economic cost--amount to an exceedingly 
costly epidemic and make finding a solution to gun violence a top 
priority. Unfortunately, there is no single cure for this disease. 
However, voluntary gun reduction programs that provide a means to 
reducing the number of weapons on the streets and in children's homes 
are an important step to creating safe and healthy environments.

  That is why I have introduced the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act of 
2000. The purpose of this Act is to voluntarily reduce the number of 
guns in circulation by aiding State and local law enforcement 
departments that wish to conduct gun reduction programs to create safer 
homes and safer streets.
  Under the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act, law enforcement officials 
would be permitted to--
  (1) accept voluntary surrender of firearms from individuals seeking 
to dispose of them;
  (2) provide gift certificates or other goods in exchange for 
firearms;
  (3) provide cash in exchange for firearms, in a value not to exceed a 
percentage of the estimated cost of a new firearm of the same type; or
  (4) use any other innovative approach to encourage a voluntary 
reduction in the number of firearms in local communities.
  This legislation would authorize $15 million for grants to States or 
local units of government to conduct these programs.
  A program may include a criminal background check regarding the 
ownership of each firearm or may offer amnesty from such background 
checks, provided that the policy regarding criminal background checks 
is uniformly applied. Whenever any firearm is surrendered under this 
Act, State or local units of government shall inquire whether such 
firearm is needed as evidence. If the surrendered gun is not needed as 
evidence, it shall be destroyed --thus preventing the potential 
recycling of guns and possible illegal use. Any firearm that is a curio 
or relic or that has historic significance shall be donated to a State 
or local museum for display.
  Safe Homes-Safe Streets programs would provide an excellent way for 
communities to draw attention to the problem of gun violence, which is 
fueled by the widespread, easy availability of firearms. Gun reduction 
programs under the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act would also serve as a 
catalyst for local communities and neighborhood organizations to work 
with law enforcement in a collaborative manner. Moreover, gun reduction 
programs under the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act would encourage citizens 
to become more involved in the fight against gun violence.
  Most importantly, the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act would eliminate 
tens of thousands of guns from our homes and streets. With fewer guns 
in American homes, fewer guns can fall into the wrong hands and fewer 
guns can be used for crime or suicide. It makes no difference if older 
or newer guns are collected in the programs because all guns are 
potentially lethal and can be fired accidentally. Guns kept in the home 
for self-protection are three times more likely to kill a friend or a 
relative than an intruder. Safe Homes-Safe Streets programs would help 
stop violence before it occurs.
  On their own volition, some communities have launched successful gun 
reduction programs to help rid themselves of guns and reduce the 
senseless violence in their daily lives. Many communities have 
implemented gun buyback programs; however, other communities have taken 
a more innovative approach to address the circulation of illegal guns 
on their streets. For example, in California and in my hometown of 
Springfield, Illinois, law enforcement officials have implemented the 
``Stop Gun Violence Reward Program.'' Under the ``Stop Gun Violence 
Reward Program,'' citizens are encouraged to anonymously and 
confidentially call the CrimeStoppers hotline when handguns are seen in 
public places. An officer is then dispatched to investigate the 
compliant. If an illegal gun is recovered in a public place, the caller 
receives a $100 cash reward. If the gun is stolen, it is returned to 
its rightful owner. If the gun is not needed as evidence, it is 
destroyed. With federal assistance, more communities would be empowered 
to voluntarily help reduce the number of potentially lethal firearms in 
their homes and on their streets--helping to create safer homes and 
safer streets.
  Moreover, the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act would help communities 
increase awareness of gun violence and gun possession; reduce the 
number of accidents and domestic violence with guns; reduce the 
availability of highly lethal weapons in the short term; reduce the 
lethality of crimes committed; enhance community solidarity; enhance 
community-police relations; and reduce the taxing medical cost of gun-
related injuries. The benefits of

[[Page S3027]]

the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act--legislation facilitating a voluntary 
reduction of the number of guns in circulation--is clear.
  The Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act would help create safer homes and 
safer streets for our families. Several organizations, including 
Illinois Council Against Hand Gun Violence, Physicians for Social 
Responsibility, Illinois Education Association, National Education 
Association, The Bell Campaign, and the American Public Health 
Association, have already recognized the need for legislation calling 
for a voluntary reduction of the number of firearms in circulation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and Senator Lautenberg in taking 
steps to cure the deadly epidemic of gun violence by supporting and 
cosponsoring the Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2482

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Homes-Safe Streets Act 
     of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to reduce firearm circulation by 
     assisting State and local law enforcement agencies in 
     carrying out Safe Homes-Safe Streets programs.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Firearm.--The term ``firearm'' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code.
       (2) Safe homes-safe streets program.--The term ``Safe 
     Homes-Safe Streets program'' means a program carried out by a 
     law enforcement agency of a State or unit of local government 
     under which--
       (A) the law enforcement agency shall--
       (i) accept the voluntary surrender of firearms from 
     individuals seeking to dispose of them;
       (ii) provide gift certificates or other goods in exchange 
     for firearms;
       (iii) provide cash in exchange for firearms (in a value not 
     to exceed \1/2\ of the estimated cost of a new similar 
     firearm); or
       (iv) use any other innovative approach to cause a voluntary 
     reduction in the number of firearms in the State or local 
     communities;
       (B) the law enforcement agency may conduct a criminal 
     background check regarding the ownership of each firearm 
     surrendered or may offer amnesty from such background checks, 
     to the extent that the policy regarding criminal background 
     checks is uniformly applied; and
       (C) upon the surrender of a firearm, the law enforcement 
     agency shall--
       (i) determine whether such firearm may potentially serve as 
     evidence in any criminal investigation or prosecution; and
       (ii) if the firearm is not needed as evidence--

       (I) destroy the firearm; or
       (II) if the firearm is a curio or relic or has historical 
     significance, donate the firearm to a State or local museum 
     for display.

     SEC. 4. SAFE HOMES-SAFE STREETS PROGRAM GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--The Attorney General may award grants to 
     States or units of local government in accordance with this 
     section, which shall be used to establish and implement Safe 
     Homes-Safe Streets programs.
       (b) Applications.--In order to be eligible to receive a 
     grant under this section, the chief executive of a State or 
     unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General 
     an application, in such form and containing such information 
     as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
       (c) Distribution.--The Attorney General shall distribute 
     grant amounts awarded under this section directly to the 
     recipient State or unit of local government.
       (d) Renewal.--A State or unit of local government shall be 
     eligible to apply for and receive a grant under this section 
     annually.
       (e) Matching Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Attorney 
     General may not make a grant to a State or unit of local 
     government under this section unless that State or unit of 
     local government agrees that, with respect to the costs to be 
     incurred by the State or unit of local government in carrying 
     out the Safe Homes-Safe Streets program for which the grant 
     was awarded, the State will make available (directly or 
     through donations from public or private entities) non-
     Federal contributions in an amount equal to not less than 50 
     percent of such costs.
       (2) Waiver.--The Attorney General may waive the requirement 
     of paragraph (1), in whole or in part, upon a finding of 
     fiscal hardship on the part of a grant recipient.
       (f) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall promulgate 
     regulations to implement this section, which shall specify--
       (1) the information to be included in an application for a 
     grant under this section; and
       (2) the requirements that a State or unit of local 
     government shall meet in submitting such an application.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     Act $15,000,000 for each fiscal year.
                                 ______