[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WE MUST ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE

  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 of New York. Mr. Speaker, as the House begins its work 
in the 110th Congress, we must address the issue of gun violence. 
Congress has a responsibility to make sure violent criminals cannot 
legally purchase guns. I am not proposing any new laws or a ban on 
buying guns. Instead, we must help our States enforce current laws that 
prevent criminals from buying guns.
  The NICS system, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
System, is the database used to check potential firearm buyers for any 
criminal records. In large, NICS has been a very good success. Since 
1994 more than 700,000 individuals were denied a gun for failing their 
background check. However, the NICS system is only as good as the 
information in its database.
  Mr. Speaker, 25 States have automated less than 60 percent of their 
felony convictions into the NICS system. In these States, many felons 
won't turn up on the NICS system and would be able to purchase a gun 
with no questions asked.
  In 13 States, domestic violence and restraining orders are not 
accessible through the NICS system. Common sense would dictate that you 
don't sell a gun to somebody that has a restraining order. 
Unfortunately, that is not the case.
  On March 8, 2002, Peter Troy purchased a .22 caliber semiautomatic 
rifle. His own mother had a restraining order against him as a result 
of his violent background. It was illegal for him to purchase a gun, 
but he simply fell through the cracks. Four days later, Peter Troy 
walked into Our Lady of Peace Church in Lynbrook, New York, opened fire 
and killed two innocent people. Peter Troy had no business buying a 
gun, and the system created to prevent him from buying the gun failed.
  We must fix the NICS system. That is why I introduced H.R. 297, the 
NICS Improvement Act. This legislation would provide grants to States 
to update the NICS system. States would be able to update their NICS 
database to include felons, domestic abusers and other violent 
criminals. We need the NICS Improvement Act to become law, and we need 
to pass more bills like it.
  These ideas impose no new restrictions on gun owners, but give the 
government the tools to ensure existing laws are effective and 
enforceable. In fact, the NICS Improvement Act already passed the House 
in the 107th Congress by voice vote. Last Congress, a Judiciary 
subcommittee passed the measure. Unfortunately it did not get to the 
full committee.
  This is commonsense gun legislation that we can all agree on. This 
bill will save lives while not infringing on anybody's second amendment 
rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I call on Congress to act quickly on H.R. 247. If we can 
prevent tragedies like this happening throughout the country, we could 
save lives and enforce the laws already on the books.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring one other subject up. This country 
is facing a shortage of blood. I would encourage all people in this 
country to give blood. It is easy, it is painless, and it can save 
someone's life.

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