[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GUN SHOW BACKGROUND CHECK ACT

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this week I joined Senator Reed and a 
number of my colleagues in introducing the Gun Show Background Check 
Act, which would close the gun show loophole. If enacted, prospective 
buyers at gun shows would be required to undergo Brady background 
checks to ensure that they are not felons, fugitives, domestic abusers, 
or other persons prohibited from purchasing firearms.
  It is incredible to me that more than two years after Columbine, 
lawmakers have not yet acted to reduce the availability of guns to 
criminals and other prohibited persons by closing this loophole in our 
federal firearm laws. Just a few days ago, America memorialized the 
worst school shooting in our nation's history. On April 20, two years 
ago, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold brought terror to Columbine High 
School. Of the four guns used by the two Columbine shooters, three were 
acquired at a gun show. The teenage shooters took full advantage of the 
gun show loophole, which allowed their friend, Robyn Anderson, to buy 
them two rifles and a shotgun without ever submitting to a background 
check. Later, Robyn Anderson testified about her experience to the 
Colorado Legislature. She said:

       While we were walking around [at the gun show], Eric and 
     Dylan kept asking sellers if they were private or licensed. 
     They wanted to buy their guns from someone who was private--
     and not licensed--because there would be no paperwork or 
     background check.
       I was not asked any questions at all. There was no 
     background check . . . I would not have bought a gun for Eric 
     and Dylan if I had had to give any personal information or 
     submit any kind of check at all.
       I wish a law requiring background checks had been in effect 
     at the time . . . It was too easy. I wish it had been more 
     difficult. I wouldn't have helped them buy the guns if I had 
     faced a background check.

  Of all the testimony that came out of Columbine, Robyn Anderson's is 
among the most memorable. The citizens of Colorado and Oregon, States 
with high rates of gun ownership, reacted by supporting referenda to 
close the gun show loopholes in their States. Now, Congress should do 
the same and enact legislation to close the gun show loophole 
nationwide.

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