[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H9609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL INSTANT BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, last week the Washington Times ran an 
editorial stating that people who advocate responsible gun laws are 
disappointed that there has not been an increase in killings since the 
assault weapons ban expired last year.
  In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. That the crime rate 
has not increased dramatically with the end of the ban is not a 
surprise. Nobody thought the end of the assault weapons ban would 
create new criminals, but we feared it would give existing criminals 
better tools to do their jobs. The fact that sales of these weapons are 
not skyrocketing does not surprise me either. Law-abiding gun owners 
have no practical need for these weapons. Why would a responsible gun 
owner want an AK-47 or an Uzi? They cannot hunt with them. There would 
not be much animal left after one pull of the trigger.
  Assault weapons are not even practical for self-defense. Innocent 
bystanders would be injured or killed by the spray of the bullets 
released.
  But I want to reduce gun violence in this country, not to keep the 
status quo. The Washington Times might be satisfied with 30,000 
Americans dying from gun-related deaths every year. I am not. The 
Washington Times might think it is acceptable that 5,200 American kids 
die because of gun violence each year. I think it is deplorable.
  But I am a realist; and I know that this Congress, this Congress, 
will not reinstate the assault weapons ban. But we can make it more 
difficult for criminals and terrorists to get their weapons.
  As we continue to weaken our guns laws, we increasingly rely on the 
National Instant Background Check System to ensure that guns do not 
fall into the wrong hands. However, the NICS database is dangerously 
incomplete. For example, half of all States have entered less than 60 
percent of their convicted felons into the NICS system. Thirteen States 
have failed to enter the subjects of restraining orders stemming from 
domestic violence into the NICS system. And, of course, in all 50 
States, people who are listed on terrorist watch lists certainly can go 
out and still buy a gun.
  The same people whom we do not trust to board a plane can buy one of 
those AK-47s or Uzis the Washington Times editorial page raves about. 
This defies common sense.
  I have introduced H.R. 1415, legislation that will require that 
States enter in all NICS information as quickly as possible. My bill 
will also provide grants to States to make sure that their databases 
are kept up to date.
  This legislation poses no restrictions on law-abiding and responsible 
gun owners. It poses no infringement on second amendment rights. In 
fact, it passed the House during the 107th Congress via voice vote. 
Unfortunately, time ran out before the other body could take up the 
bill.
  But the bill had the support of several Senators on the other side 
who are known strongly for their support of gun rights. Nobody believes 
criminals and terrorists should be allowed to legally buy guns in this 
country.
  So before the Washington Times and others begin to celebrate 
maintaining the status quo for gun-related deaths, let us pass 
legislation to enforce the gun laws on the books.
  Nobody wants to see crime reduced more than I do. H.R. 1415 can fix 
the loopholes in our background checks. Thirty thousand deaths a year 
is nothing to turn a blind eye to no matter what the Washington Times 
says.
  We can do better, Mr. Speaker.




                          ____________________