[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9278-9279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           MORE OPPOSITION TO THE GUN INDUSTRY IMMUNITY BILL

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, since the reintroduction of the Protection 
of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, many law enforcement and community 
groups around the country have publicly stated their opposition to the 
bill. In Michigan alone, the bill is opposed by organizations including 
the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the League of Women 
Voters of Michigan, the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, 
and local chapters of the Million Mom March.
  Law enforcement and community groups oppose the misnamed ``Protection 
of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act'' because it would significantly weaken 
the legal rights of gun violence victims. The bill would provide 
members of the gun industry with legal protections not enjoyed by other 
industries and deprive many gun violence victims with legitimate cases 
of their day in court.

[[Page 9279]]

  Two former Directors of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms 
have added their voices to the already considerable and growing 
opposition to this bill. In a letter to Congress, former ATF Directors 
Stephen Higgins and Rex Davis state that the gun industry immunity 
legislation would threaten the ATF's ability to effectively enforce our 
Nation's gun laws. Specifically, they cite provisions in the bill that 
would likely block the ATF from pursuing administrative proceedings 
``to revoke a gun dealer's federal firearm license if the dealer 
supplies guns to criminals or other prohibited buyers'' and ``to 
prevent the importation of non-sporting firearms used frequently in 
crimes.'' Later in the letter, former Directors Higgins and Davis 
state:

       We know from experience how important it is that ATF be 
     able to enforce our nation's gun laws to prevent firearms 
     from being obtained by terrorists, other criminals, and the 
     gun traffickers who supply them. To protect our citizens from 
     the scourge of gun violence Congress should be strengthening 
     our laws and increasing ATF's resources and ability to 
     enforce those laws. To handcuff ATF, as this bill does, will 
     only serve to shield corrupt gun sellers, and facilitate 
     criminals and terrorists who seek to wreak havoc with deadly 
     weapons. To take such anti-law enforcement actions in the 
     post-9/11 age, when we know that suspected terrorists are 
     obtaining firearms, and may well seek them from irresponsible 
     gun dealers, is nothing short of madness.

  Combined, former Directors Higgins and Davis have more than two 
decades of experience in leading the ATF. We should recognize their 
extensive knowledge of gun violence issues and follow their advice. 
Instead of providing a single industry with broad immunity, we should 
be protecting the legal rights of gun violence victims and enhancing 
the effectiveness of our law enforcement agencies.
  I ask unanimous consent that a list of some of the law enforcement 
and community organizations opposing this legislation be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                         Michigan Organizations

       Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police
       League of Women Voters of Michigan
       Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence
       Detroit Million Mom March Chapter
       East Metro Detroit Million Mom March Chapter
       Mid-Michigan/Lansing Million Mom March Chapter
       Novi Million Mom March Chapter
       Southwest Michigan Million Mom March Chapter
       Washtenaw County MMM Chapter
       West Metro Detroit/Washtenaw County Million Mom March 
     Chapter


                 National Law Enforcement Organizations

       International Brotherhood of Police Officers
       Major Cities Chiefs Association
       National Black Police Association
       Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association


                      Other National Organizations

       Alliance for Justice
       American Association of School Psychologists
       American Association of Suicidology
       American Bar Association
       Americans for Democratic Action
       American Humanist Association
       American Public Health Association
       Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence united with the 
     Million Mom March
       Child Welfare League of America
       Children's Defense Fund
       Church Women United
       Coalition To Stop Gun Violence
       Common Cause
       Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes Leadership Team
       Consumer Federation of America
       Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety
       Disciples Justice Action Network
       Equal Partners in Faith
       Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
       Hadassah The Women's Zionist Organization Of America
       HELP Network
       League of Women Voters of the U.S.
       Legal Community Against Violence
       National Council of Jewish Women
       National Council of Women's Organization
       National Research Center for Women & Families
       Physicians for Social Responsibility
       Presbyterian Church (USA)
       Public Citizen
       Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
       States United to Prevent Gun Violence
       The American Jewish Committee
       The Ms. Foundation for Women
       The Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE)
       The United States Conference of Mayors
       Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
       Veteran Feminists of America
       Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press

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