[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S8501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TORRICELLI:
  S. 3043. A bill to close loopholes in the firearms laws which allow 
the unregulated manufacture, assembly, shipment, or transportation of 
firearms or firearm parts, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.


                   gun parts trafficking act of 2000

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Gun 
Parts Trafficking Act of 2000.
  For years, I have fought along with many of my colleagues against the 
gun violence that has plagued America. We have sought to keep firearms 
from the hands of children and those who would use them to do harm. 
After long debate, we succeeded in enacting a ban on assault weapons as 
well as the Brady bill requiring a criminal background check at the 
time of a firearms purchase--positive steps in the effort to protect 
our communities from gun violence.
  Gun violence, however, continues to have a devastating impact on our 
nation. The statistics have been well documented, but bear repeating. 
In 1997 alone, more than 32,000 Americans were shot and killed. 
Fourteen children die from gunfire every day. The economic toll of 
firearms deaths and injuries on our country--$33 billion each year--is 
astronomical.
  In light of these staggering figures it seems obvious that we must do 
more, including regulating guns like any other consumer product. But 
while we look forward, we must also be mindful of attempts by some to 
subvert the progress we have made.
  Gun dealers are exploiting a loophole in current law that allows them 
to sell, through the US mail, gun kits containing virtually every 
single item needed to build an automatic weapon. When we enacted a ban 
on these deadly automatic weapons, we exempted automatic weapons 
legally owned prior to the ban. We also allowed replacement parts to be 
legally sold so that these grand-fathered weapons could be repaired by 
their owners, and we allowed these parts to be shipped through the 
nail.
  These provisions, however, have been exploited and replacement part 
kits that can convert a legally owned firearm into an illegal automatic 
weapon are readily available and heavily advertised in numerous 
publications. Some of these kits even go so far as to provide a 
template that shows how to make this conversion. This is a flagrant 
effort to evade the laws of the United States. This activity must be 
stopped in order to maintain the integrity of our ban on assault 
weapons and protect our communities from gun violence. Legislation is 
needed that provides simple, common-sense measures to remedy the 
glaring loopholes in current law.
  To that end, I am introducing the Gun Parts Trafficking Act of 2000, 
legislation designed to close the loopholes in existing law and end the 
sale of kits designed to convert legally owned firearms into illegal 
automatic weapons. The bill will expand the definition of ``firearm'' 
to include the main components of the weapon and will prohibit the 
manufacture or assembly of guns by an individual who does not have a 
license to do so.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Gun Parts 
Trafficking Act and ask unanimous consent that the full text of the 
legislation be printed in the Record following my statement.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 3043

       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 ``Gun Parts Trafficking Act of 
     2000''.

     SEC. 2. PROHIBITION AGAINST SHIPMENT OR TRANSPORTATION OF 
                   FIREARM PARTS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.

       Section 921(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``or (D) any destructive device.'' and 
     inserting ``(D) any destructive device; or (E) any parts or 
     combination of parts that when assembled on a frame or 
     receiver would constitute a firearm, as defined in this 
     paragraph.''.

     SEC. 3. PROHIBITION AGAINST MANUFACTURE OR ASSEMBLY OF 
                   FIREARMS BY PERSONS OTHER THAN LICENSED 
                   MANUFACTURERS.

       Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(z) It shall be unlawful for any person other than a 
     licensed manufacturer to manufacture or assemble a 
     firearm.''.

     SEC. 4. INCREASE IN FEE FOR LICENSE TO MANUFACTURE FIREARMS.

       Section 923(a)(1)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``$50'' and inserting ``$500''.

     SEC. 5. PROHIBITION AGAINST POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF CERTAIN 
                   COMBINATIONS OF MACHINEGUN REPLACEMENT PARTS.

       Section 5845(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     (National Firearms Act) is amended in the 2nd sentence by 
     striking ``designed and intended solely and exclusively, or 
     combination of parts designed and intended,'' and inserting 
     ``or combination of parts designed and intended''.

     SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this Act shall apply to conduct 
     engaged in after the 60-day period that begins with the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

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