[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          INTRODUCTION OF NO GUNS FOR VIOLENT PERPETRATORS ACT

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                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2001

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, today I join with twelve of my colleagues in 
introducing legislation that will help protect our communities by 
keeping guns out of the hands of our most violent criminals.
  As an elected District Attorney for twelve years, I know that tough 
enforcement of our current laws is vital to keeping our communities 
safe. One of these federal laws in existence makes it illegal for 
convicted felons to posses a firearm. But would it surprise you to know 
that there is no similar prohibition on possession of a firearm by a 
person who has a juvenile adjudication of a violent crime? That is a 
fact. And it is a narrow loophole in the law that should be closed.
  A constituent who owns a gun store in my district, Bob Lockett, 
brought this loophole to my attention. An individual with a conviction 
for a shooting death as a juvenile in California tried to purchase gun 
parts at his store. The State of Kansas has a law making it illegal for 
persons with a juvenile adjudication of a violent crime to possess a 
firearm. Therefore, when a search discovered the prior conviction, Mr. 
Lockett was able to prevent the purchase and notify the authorities. I 
commend Mr. Lockett for his actions and for bringing this matter to my 
attention.
  Mr. Speaker, although I am grateful that Kansas has such a law, I 
believe that this should be a federal law to prevent violent 
perpetrators from possessing firearms nationwide. These individuals 
with a violent past should be prohibited from possessing firearms.
  During my years as a District Attorney, I found that, to the victim 
of a violent crime, it makes little difference whether the perpetrator 
was an adult or a juvenile. I believe we all can agree that violent 
persons should not be able to legally possess a firearm.
  Mr. Speaker, persons who have a juvenile adjudication for a violent 
felony should never possess a firearm. I urge my colleagues to support 
this important legislation.

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