[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 164 (Friday, November 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12238-S12239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GUN SHOW BACKGROUND CHECK ACT

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise to comment on the words spoken 
earlier this morning by my very good friend and colleague from Rhode 
Island, Senator Reed. Earlier this morning, Senator Reed announced his 
intention to bring S. 767, the Gun Show Background Check Act, to the 
Senate floor this year.
  At the outset, I deeply respect the Senator from Rhode Island. I 
think he is a very fine public servant, one of the brightest and most 
dedicated with whom I have had the privilege to serve. I respect his 
concerns about guns generally and guns in America. I do not believe, as 
he stated, that instituting background checks at gun shows will correct 
the concerns he raised. The events of September 11 and the ensuing 
concerns about terrorist threats have led to a resurgence by some for 
stricter gun laws. But with all due respect, responding to terrorism by 
calling for background checks at gun shows is not an effective tool for 
making this country safer.

  The hijackers of September 11 were not armed with guns. The tragic 
deaths of thousands in New York didn't involve a single bullet. The 
anthrax that arrived in the office of my next door neighbor, Majority 
Leader Daschle, had nothing to do with background checks. The acts of 
the terrorism on America to date have not been related to guns in any 
form.
  I am not trying to deny the risks and dangers that we face from 
weapons in the hands of terrorists. But I do not believe that terrorist 
organizations are buying their weapons one pistol at a time from 
American gun shows, nor do I believe that closing the so-called gun 
show loophole will result in fewer guns in criminal hands.
  I strongly support the actions our law officials have taken to make 
our country a more secure place since September 11. And I thank them 
for their dedication and hard work. They have worked so hard and in 
many cases overtime, extra hours, no vacation. It is amazing and 
inspiring. But while we tighten our borders and patrol our country, we 
must remember the balance between protecting our safety and protecting 
our civil rights.
  Restricting our citizen's access to firearms chips away rights 
protected by the Constitution. Cloaked in the mantle of eliminating 
terrorism, bills such as ``The Gun Show Background Check'' restrict the 
second amendment and make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to 
purchase guns.
  My State of Montana has a heritage based on hunting and enjoying the 
great outdoors. Gun shows are events typically held in town meeting 
halls on weekends. They are very well attended. They are big events. 
You would be astounded at all the people there going to and fro and 
talking and exchanging information. People come together and meet 
neighbors and possibly purchase a rifle to be used on a hunting trip. 
In addition, gun shows simply are not set up with the technology to 
make background checks feasible. They are temporary events, and they 
are not able to be connected to the NICS system for background checks. 
It is technically impossible.
  I appreciate deeply my colleague's concerns, but I do not believe 
that gun show checks begin to address terrorism or gun violence. We 
have safeguards in place to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands 
and focusing on guns when talking about terrorism is missing the bigger 
picture.
  Let's move on to getting an economic recovery bill passed to boost 
our economy and prove to the terrorists that their actions cannot stop 
America's progress. Let's get our aviation security bill implemented so 
our citizens can get back up in the air with complete confidence. Right 
now, it is the big picture on which we must focus. Gun shows aren't 
part of the problem, and background checks at the gun shows are not 
part of the solution.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.

[[Page S12239]]

  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Corzine). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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