[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S. 443. A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, 
to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for offenses involving 
stolen firearms; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, the fourth bill I am introducing today 
is the ``Stolen Gun Penalty Enhancement Act of 2001'' which would 
increase the maximum prison sentences for violating existing stolen gun 
laws.
  Many crimes in our country are being committed with stolen guns. The 
extent of this problem is reflected in a number of recent studies and 
news reports which indicate that almost half a million guns are stolen 
each year.
  This problem is especially alarming among young people. A Justice 
Department study of juvenile inmates in four states shows that over 50 
percent of those inmates had stolen a gun. In the same study, gang 
members and drug sellers were more likely to have stolen a gun.
  Specifically, this bill would increase the maximum penalty for 
violating four provisions of the firearms laws. Under title 18 of the 
U.S. Code, it is illegal to knowingly transport or ship a stolen 
firearm or stolen ammunition. It is also illegal to knowingly receive, 
possess, conceal, store, sell, or otherwise dispose of a stolen firearm 
or stolen ammunition. The penalty for violating either of these 
provisions is a fine, a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, or 
both. My bill increases the maximum prison sentence to 15 years.
  Mr. President, I am a strong supporter of the rights of law-abiding 
gun owners. However, I firmly believe we need tough penalties for the 
illegal use of firearms.
  The Stolen Gun Penalty Enhancement Act of 2001 will send a strong 
signal to criminals who are even thinking about stealing a firearm. I 
urge my colleagues to join in support of this legislation.
  Mr. Preisent, I ask unanimous consent that the Stolen Gun Penalty 
Enhancement Act of 2001 be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 443

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

     SECTION 1. STOLEN FIREARMS.

       (a) In General.--Section 924 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(i), (j),''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (i) or (j) of 
     section 922 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not 
     more than 15 years, or both.'';
       (2) in subsection (i)(1), by striking ``10 years'' and 
     inserting ``15 years''; and
       (3) in subsection (l), by striking ``10 years'' and 
     inserting ``15 years''.
       (b) Sentencing Commission.--The United States Sentencing 
     Commission shall amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to 
     reflect the amendments made by subsection (a).
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