[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 179 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1767-E1768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1217 ``PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECOND AMENDMENT 
                    RIGHTS PROTECTION ACT OF 2015''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the past few months have been marked by 
senseless violence and tragedy across the globe and in our own country 
from Tuscon, Aurora, Sandy Hook, Charleston, Chattanooga, Roseburg, and 
now most recently in San Bernardino, California.
  It is past time that we come together united by our common humanity 
and with this simple message: the violence must stop.
  The senseless mass shooting in San Bernardino reminds us of the 
imperative of ending gun violence in our country.
  And there are actions that can be taken to reduce gun violence 
beginning with the enactment of the bipartisan ``Public Safety and 
Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015'' (H.R. 1217).
  This bipartisan legislation, which I am proud to be an original co-
sponsor, will help prevent guns from falling into the hands of 
criminals and reinforce the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun 
owners.
  Expanding the existing background check system to cover all 
commercial firearm sales, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights 
Protection Act of 2015 ensures that criminals and the dangerously 
mentally ill cannot slip through background check loopholes that 
endanger the safety and rights of every American.
  H.R. 1217 greatly reduces the number of places where a criminal can 
buy a gun.
  Right now a criminal can buy a firearm in the parking lot of a gun 
show, over the internet, or through a newspaper ad without needing a 
background check.
  The bill closes these loopholes while ensuring that background checks 
are conducted in the same way federally licensed dealers have for more 
than 40 years.

[[Page E1768]]

  The legislation also strengthens the Second Amendment rights of law-
abiding gun owners by banning the government from creating a federal 
registry and makes the misuse of records a felony, punishable by up to 
15 years in prison.
  It provides reasonable exceptions for family and friend transfers and 
allows active military personnel to buy guns in the state they are 
stationed.
  It lets gun owners use a state concealed carry permit issued within 
the last five years in lieu of a background check and permits 
interstate handgun sales from licensed dealers.
  The bill also improves the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
System (NICS) by incentivizing states to improve reporting of criminals 
and the dangerously mentally ill and by directing future grant funds 
toward better record-sharing systems.
  H.R. 1217 will also reduce federal funds to states that do not 
comply.
  Mr. Speaker, you cannot be against criminals, terrorists and the 
dangerously mentally ill getting guns and be against background checks.
  I thank Congressmen Peter King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) for 
introducing this bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1217), which is the House 
companion to an identical bipartisan bill introduced previously by 
Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA).
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1217 is anti-crime, pro-lawful gun owner and pro-
Second Amendment.
  It will save lives and strengthen the rights of law-abiding gun 
owners.
  It deserves a vote in the House.

                          ____________________