[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6295-S6296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BREAKING THE CYCLE OF GUN VIOLENCE

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to bring the results of a 
recent study on gun violence by a University of Michigan researcher to 
the attention of my colleagues. The study found that adolescents who 
are exposed to gun violence are more likely to carry out serious acts 
of violence.
  The study, completed by University of Michigan doctoral student 
Jeffrey Bingenheimer, analyzed data from more than 1,500 adolescents. 
The participants underwent a series of interviews over the course of 
several years as part of the Project on Human Development in Chicago 
Neighborhoods. Among other things, initial interviews focused on 
exposure to firearm violence, including being shot or shot at or seeing 
someone else shot or shot at within the previous year. Subsequent 
interviews were designed to uncover whether the participant had engaged 
in violent acts themselves. These acts of violence were defined in the 
study as shooting at or shooting someone, being in a gang fight, 
attacking someone with a weapon, or carrying a hidden weapon. 
Reportedly, 23 percent of those interviewed reported being exposed to 
gun violence and 12 percent indicated that they had carried out violent 
acts themselves. Statistical analysis of the resulting data revealed 
that adolescents who were exposed to gun violence were more than twice 
as likely to carry out violent acts within the following two years.
  Describing the results of his study, Mr. Bingenheimer stated, ``The 
primary implication of these findings is that violence can be 
transmitted from person to person by means of exposure in the 
community. This makes the `epidemic of violence' metaphor seem 
particularly apt, and is consistent with sociological theories of 
violent crime as a contagious social process.''
  While Congress cannot simply legislate an end to the gun violence 
epidemic, we can do more to support local law enforcement officials as 
they work to prevent gun violence in our communities. One important 
program, known as COPS, was created by President Clinton in 1994 to 
assist State and local law enforcement agencies in hiring additional 
police officers to reduce crime through the use of community policing. 
Nationwide, the COPS program has awarded more than $11 billion in 
grants, resulting in the hiring of 118,000 additional police officers. 
Unfortunately, authorization for the COPS program was permitted to 
expire at the end of fiscal year 2000. Although the program has 
survived through continued annual appropriations, its funding has been 
significantly cut. I am a cosponsor of the COPS Reauthorization Act 
which would continue the COPS program for another six years at a 
funding level of $1.15 billion per year, nearly double the amount 
appropriated for fiscal year 2005. Among other things, this funding 
would allow State and local governments to hire an additional 50,000 
police officers. Having more officers on our streets helps to

[[Page S6296]]

deter gun violence and therefore reduces the chance that adolescents 
are exposed to such crimes.
  In addition, Congress can make it more difficult for potential 
criminals to gain access to dangerous firearms. Under current law, when 
an individual buys a handgun from a licensed dealer, there are federal 
requirements for a background check to insure that the purchaser is not 
prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing a firearm. However, 
this is not the case for all gun purchases. For example, when an 
individual wants to buy a handgun from another private citizen who is 
not a licensed gun dealer, there is no requirement that the seller 
ensure the purchaser is not in a prohibited category. This creates a 
loophole in the law, making it easy for criminals, terrorists, and 
other prohibited buyers to evade background checks and buy guns from 
private citizens often at organized gun shows. This loophole creates a 
gateway to the illegal market because criminals know they will not be 
subject to a background check when purchasing from another private 
citizen even at a gun show. It is important that Congress close this 
``gun show loophole'' to help stop the flow of dangerous firearms to 
prohibited buyers who may use them in violent crimes.
  Much more can be done to break the cycle of gun violence that plagues 
many of our communities. I urge my colleagues to take up and pass 
common sense legislation that will help to achieve this goal.

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