[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-

[[Page 247]]

            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.