[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 27, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCING THE HADIYA PENDLETON AND NYASIA PRYEAR-YARD GUN TRAFFICKING 
                     & CRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2016

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I proudly introduce The Hadiya 
Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act 
of 2016, the House companion legislation to Senator Kirsten 
Gillibrand's bill in the Senate.
  This legislation would establish gun trafficking as a federal crime. 
Specifically, it increases the penalties for those directly involved in 
the illegal movement of guns across state lines, those who organize the 
gun trafficking rings and those who conspire to traffic guns.
  Additionally, this legislation enforces gun trafficking as a federal 
crime punishable of up to twenty years in prison and up to $250,000 in 
fines under Title 18. This legislation tackles firearm trafficking at 
each stage by also increasing the penalties for all personnel involved 
in the illegal movement of guns, including those who participate in 
trafficking rings and those who conspire to traffic guns.
  Only 1 out of 10 guns used in a crime is wielded by the original 
purchaser and 1 in 3 guns used in criminal acts cross state lines. 
Ninety percent of guns found at crime scenes in New York City were 
originally purchased out of state and illegally brought to the city. 
Unfortunately, current crime laws are arbitrary: the act of selling 
guns without the necessary federal license carries the same punishment 
as trafficking chickens and cows across state lines. This critical 
legislation would not only make gun trafficking a federal crime, but it 
will also provide tools to law enforcement to get illegal guns off the 
streets, away from criminal networks and street gangs, and prosecute 
those who traffic firearms.
  The bill was named after Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard--two 
high school students who were killed in recent years. In both cases, 
the individuals were killed by people that were in illegal possession 
of a firearm. Hadiya Pendleton was killed in Chicago, when shots were 
fired into a crowd of people. The shots were intended for members of 
the shooter's rival gang. Nyasia Pryear was killed in Brooklyn, while 
with friends. Witnesses said the shooting was gang related.
  The Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime 
Prevention Act of 2016 is common sense legislation that should be 
supported by all Members of the House. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in cosponsoring this legislation.

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