[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 39 (Friday, March 31, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION REPORT CARDS FOR 2005

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, unfortunately the U.S. Congress is not 
addressing the issue of gun violence prevention, and several States 
have enacted laws which have made communities, and especially the 
children who live in them, less safe. Earlier this month, the Brady 
Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence released its 9th annual Report Card on 
State Gun Violence Prevention Laws and highlighted the inadequacy of 
many state laws relating to gun safety.
  Each year, the Brady Campaign report assigns individual states a 
grade of ``A'' through ``F'' on seven types of gun safety laws that 
protect children from gun violence. The Brady Campaign includes in its 
analysis such questions as: Is it illegal for a child to possess a gun 
without supervision? Is it illegal to sell a gun to a child? Are gun 
owners held responsible for leaving loaded guns easily accessible to 
children? Are guns required to have child-safety locks, loaded-chamber 
indicators and other childproof designs? Do cities and counties have 
authority to enact local gun safety laws? Are background checks 
required at gun shows? And, is it legal to carry concealed handguns in 
public?
  The grades assigned by the Brady Campaign show that State gun laws 
around the country continue to fall well short of what is needed to 
adequately protect children from gun violence. While six States 
received an ``A,'' unchanged from last year, 32 states received a grade 
of ``D'' or ``F,'' an increase of one. Only one State improved its 
grade from last year, while three others took actions that will make 
communities less safe from the threat of gun violence.
  The Brady Campaign notes a few positive developments in State 
legislatures, including the consideration of state-level assault 
weapons bans by at least four states. Despite bipartisan support for 
its reauthorization, the 1994 Federal assault weapons ban was allowed 
to expire in 2004 due to inaction by the President and Republican 
leadership in the Congress.
  Fortunately, the lack of Federal leadership on the assault weapons 
ban and several other gun safety issues has not discouraged citizens 
from working within their own communities and urging State legislatures 
to address the problems associated with gun violence. The Brady 
Campaign specifically recognized the importance of gun violence 
prevention advocates and leaders in several major cities, including 
Detroit, for their grassroots efforts. These efforts by local community 
leaders are needed now more than ever. Congress should take up and pass 
commonsense gun safety legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the 
assault weapons ban and help keep other dangerous firearms out of the 
hands of criminals and children.

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