    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 11, 1991]
    [Pages 246-247]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Crime Control Legislation
    March 11, 1991

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit this Administration's primary legislative
    initiative addressing the continuing threat of violent crime in this
    country. This proposal, entitled the ``Comprehensive Violent Crime
    Control Act of 1991,'' contains a broad spectrum of critically needed
    reforms to the criminal justice system, as well as new offenses and
    penalties for various acts of life-threatening criminal behavior. Also
    transmitted is a section-by-section analysis. I urge that congressional
    action on this initiative be completed within the next 100 days.
        The enormous danger posed by violent criminals in our midst today is
    totally unacceptable. In 1990, more than 20,000 Americans were murdered.
    Our citizens are rightly demanding that elected officials act with
    resolve to reduce substantially the threat violent crime poses to their
    families and communities. The dramatic victory achieved by our military
    forces in the Persian Gulf serves as a model for what can be
    accomplished by leaders and citizens committed to achieving a common
    goal. It is time for all Americans to work together to take back the
    streets and liberate our neighborhoods from the tyranny of fear.
        This legislative package is designed to address comprehensively the
    failures of the current criminal justice system. There must be a clear
    understanding on the streets of America that anyone who threatens the
    lives of others will be held accountable. To this end, it is essential
    that we have swift and certain apprehension, prosecution, and
    incarceration. Too many times, in too many cases, criminals go free
    because the scales of justice are unfairly loaded against dedicated law
    enforcement officials.
        The core elements of my proposal are:

        Restoration of the Federal Death Penalty by establishing
                constitutionally sound procedures and adequate standards for
                imposing Federal death penalties that are already on the
                books (including mail bombing and murder of Federal
                officials); and authorizing the death penalty for drug
                kingpins and for certain heinous acts such as terrorist
                murders of American nationals abroad, killing of hostages,
                and murder for hire.
        Habeas Corpus Reform to stop the often frivolous and
                repetitive appeals that clog our criminal justice system,
                and in many cases effectively nullify State death penalties,
                by limiting the ability of Federal and State prisoners to
                file repetitive habeas corpus petitions.
        Exclusionary Rule Reform to limit the release of violent
                criminals due to legal technicalities by permitting the use
                of evidence that has been seized by Federal or State law
                enforcement officials acting in ``good faith,'' or a firearm
                seized from dangerous criminals by a Federal law enforcement
                officer. This proposal also includes a system for punishing
                Federal officers who violate Fourth Amendment standards, as
                well as a means for compensating victims of unlawful
                searches.
        Increased Firearms Offenses and Penalties including a 10-
                year mandatory prison term for the use of a semiautomatic
                firearm in a drug trafficking offense or violent felony, a
                5-year man-

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                datory sentence for possession of a firearm by dangerous
                felons, new offenses involving theft of firearms and
                smuggling firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking or
                violent crimes, and a general ban on gun clips and magazines
                that enable a firearm to fire more that 15 rounds without
                reloading.

        In addition to these proposals, my initiative contains elements
    designed to curb terrorism, racial injustice, sexual violence, and
    juvenile crime, and to support appropriate drug testing as a condition
    of post-conviction release for Federal prisoners.
        I look forward to working with the Congress during the next 100 days
    on this necessary legislation.

                                                                 George Bush

    The White House,
    March 11, 1991.