[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            PROTECTING GUN OWNERS IN BANKRUPTCY ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer 
clarification for my vote in favor of H.R. 5827, the Protecting Gun 
Owners in Bankruptcy Act of 2010.
  I have tremendous respect for our nation's Constitution. In 12 other 
states around the country, including my own state of Wisconsin, there 
are already State protections for gun ownership during bankruptcy 
proceedings. When the Federal Government, and other States, already 
give basic protections for personal property like jewelry and musical 
instruments, I believe that it is fundamentally unfair to deny a second 
amendment protected item from being included in this list.
  I do, however, want to be clear that I remain steadfast in my support 
for the ability of the Federal Government, States, and cities to 
regulate firearms. There have been too many times that we have seen 
preventable deaths from guns that end up in the wrong person's hands. 
Representing the City of Milwaukee, I know first hand how important it 
is to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others that cause 
harm and undermine safety in our communities. Within the last few 
years, six police officers were shot in my district using guns that 
were traced back to a single store. How did this one store seemingly 
sell so many guns to straw buyers--people purchasing the guns not for 
themselves, but on behalf of other people who are prohibited from 
buying, like convicted domestic abusers, felons, and people with 
outstanding warrants? Had Federal gun laws been adequate to properly 
regulate stores like this, and others around the country, I sincerely 
believe that much of the gun violence could be prevented.
  My record for reducing gun violence in our communities is clear. This 
year I have sent a letter to the director of the Bureau of Alcohol 
Tobacco and Firearms asking what resources they might need to more 
efficiently enforce Federal firearm legislation. I have also sent a 
letter requesting that the Attorney General revitalize and expand upon 
an existing ``demand letter'' program that can give the BATFE essential 
information on potential problem Federal Firearm Licensees. Current 
firearm regulation at the Federal level is simply inefficient and I 
will continue to work hard with my colleagues to make our streets a 
safer place.

                          ____________________