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Reynolds, Mel
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
March 26, 1993
Dear Representative Reynolds:
Thank you for sharing the material on
taxation of firearms and your draft
legislation. Your materials make clear that
gun violence is a strain on our health care
system and must be deterred. I have shared
the material with the Health Care Task Force
and asked them to review it carefully.
I am enclosing a copy of a photo taken at our
last meeting. I appreciate your willingness
to assist us, and look forward to our
continued work together on health care, and
other issues.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Mel Reynolds
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
March 26, 1993
Dear Representative Reynolds:
Thank you for sharing the material on
taxation of firearms and your draft
legislation. Your materials make clear that
gun violence is a strain on our health care
system and must be deterred. I have shared
the material with the Health Care Task Force
and asked them to review it carefully.
I am enclosing a copy of a photo taken at our
last meeting. I appreciate your willingness
to assist us, and look forward to our
continued work together on health care, and
other issues.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Mel Reynolds
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
THE WHITE HOUSE
April 8, 1993
Dear Representative Reynolds:
Thank you for sharing the material on
taxation of firearms and your draft
legislation. Your materials make clear that
gun violence is a strain on our health care
system and must be deterred. I have shared
the material with the Health Care Task Force
and asked them to review it carefully.
I am enclosing a copy of a photo taken at our
last meeting. I appreciate your willingness
to assist us, and look forward to our
continued work together on health care, and
other issues.
Sincerely,
Hillary
The Honorable Mel Reynolds
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
(Original signature of Member)
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H.R.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. REYNOLDS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on
A BILL
To provide for the manufacturer or importer of a handgun
or an assault weapon to be held strictly liable for dam-
ages that result from the use of the handgun or assault
weapon, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to increase the excise tax on firearms and use
a portion of the revenues from such tax to assist hos-
pitals in urban areas to provide medical care to gunshot
victims who are not covered under any health plan.
1
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4
This Act may be cited as the "Strict Liability for
5 Safer Streets Act of 1993".
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
2
1 TITLE I-STRICT LIABILITY OF
2
MANUFACTURERS AND IM-
3
PORTERS OF HANDGUNS AND
4
ASSAULT WEAPONS
5 SEC. 101. CAUSE OF ACTION; FEDERAL JURISDICTION.
6
(a) IN GENERAL.-Any person suffering bodily in-
7 jury, death, or property damage, as a result of the dis-
8 charge of a handgun or an assault weapon may bring an
9 action in any United States district court against any per-
10 missible defendant for damages and such other relief as
11 the court deems appropriate.
12
(b) PERMISSIBLE DEFENDANTS.-The following per-
13 sons are permissible defendants in an action brought
14 under subsection (a) with respect to a handgun or an as-
15 sault weapon:
16
(1) Any manufacturer of the handgun or as-
17
sault weapon.
18
(2) Any importer of the handgun or assault
19
weapon.
20 SEC. 102. STRICT LIABILITY.
21
(a) IN GENERAL-Each defendant in an action
22 brought under section 101(a) shall be held strictly liable
23 in tort, without regard to fault or proof of defect, for all
24 direct and consequential damages that arise from bodily
25 injury, death, and property damage, proximately resulting
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
3
1 from the discharge of the handgun or assault weapon with
2 respect to which the defendant is a permissible defendant,
3 except as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
4
(b) DEFENSES.-
5
(1) INJURY WHILE COMMITTING A FELONY.-
6
There shall be no liability under subsection (a) if it
7
is established by a preponderance of the evidence
8
that the plaintiff suffered the bodily injury, death, or
9
property damage, while committing a crime punish-
10
able by death, or by imprisonment for life or for any
11
term of years.
12
(2) SELF-INFLICTED INJURY.-There shall be
13
no liability under subsection (a) if it is established
14
by a preponderance of the evidence that the plain-
15
tiff's bodily injury or death was self-inflicted, or that
16
the property damage was caused by the plaintiff.
17
(3) INJURY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.-
18
There shall be no liability under subsection (a) if it
19
is established by a preponderance of the evidence
20
that the injury was suffered as a result of the dis-
21
charge, by a law enforcement officer in the perform-
22
ance of official duties, of a handgun or assault weap-
23
on issued by the United States or any department
24
or agency thereof, or any State or any department,
25
agency, or political subdivision thereof.
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
4
1
(4) INJURY BY MEMBER OF THE UNITED
2
STATES ARMED FORCES.-There shall be no liability
3
under subsection (a) if it is established by a prepon-
4
derance of the evidence that the injury was suffered
5
as a result of the discharge, by a member of the
6
Armed Forces of the United States in the perform-
7
ance of military duties, of a handgun or assault
8
weapon issued by the United States or any depart-
9
ment or agency thereof.
10
(5) INJURY BY SECURITY GUARD.-There shall
11
be no liability under subsection (a) if it is estab-
12
lished by a preponderance of the evidence that the
13
injury was suffered as a result of the discharge, by
14
an individual within the scope of employment as a
15
security guard, of a handgun or assault weapon is-
16
sued by the employer of the individual.
17
(c) AUTHORITY TO AWARD A REASONABLE ATTOR-
18 NEY'S FEE.-In an action brought under section 101(a),
19 the court may, in its discretion, allow the prevailing party
20 a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs.
21 SEC. 103. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.
22
An action may not be brought under section 101(a)
23 after the 2-year period that begins with the date the injury
24 described therein is discovered.
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
5
1 SEC. 104. APPLICABILITY.
2
This title shall apply only to handguns and assault
3 weapons manufactured in or imported into the United
4 States after the effective date of this Act.
5 SEC. 105. NO EFFECT ON OTHER CAUSES OF ACTION.
6
This title shall not be construed to limit the scope
7 of any other cause of action available to a person who suf-
8 fers bodily injury, death, or property damage, as a result
9 of the discharge of a handgun or an assault weapon.
10 SEC. 106. DEFINITIONS.
11
As used in this title:
12
(1) HANDGUN.-The term "handgun" means a
13
firearm which, at the time of manufacture, had a
14
barrel of less than 12 inches in length.
15
(2) ASSAULT WEAPON.-The term "assault
16
weapon" means—
17
(A) a firearm—
18
(i) which-
19
(I) has a barrel of 12 or more
20
inches in length; and
21
(II) is capable of receiving am-
22
munition directly from a large capac-
23
ity ammunition magazine;
24
(ii) which is a semiautomatic firearm
25
which is-
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
6
1
(I) not generally recognized as
2
particularly suitable for, or readily
3
adaptable to, sporting purposes; or
4
(II) concealable on a person; or
5
(B) a firearm which is substantially func-
6
tionally equivalent to a firearm described by
7
clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
8
(3) LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGA-
9
ZINE.-The term "large capacity ammunition maga-
10
zine" means a detachable magazine, belt, drum, feed
11
strip, or similar device which has, or which can be
12
readily restored or converted to have, a capacity of
13
15 or more rounds of ammunition.
14
(4) SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM.-The term
15
"semiautomatic firearm" means any repeating fire-
16
arm which utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing
17
cartridge to extract the fired cartridge case and
18
chamber the next round, and which requires a sepa-
19
rate pull of the trigger to fire each cartridge.
20
(5) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.-The term
21
"law enforcement officer" means any officer, agent,
22
or employee of the United States, or of a State or
23
political subdivision thereof, who is authorized by
24
law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detec-
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
7
1
tion, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of
2
law.
3
(6) OTHER TERMS.-The terms "firearm", "im-
4
porter", and "manufacturer" shall have the mean-
5
ings given such terms, respectively, in paragraphs
6
(3), (9), and (10) of section 921(a) of title 18, Unit-
7
ed States Code.
8 SEC. 107. EFFECTIVE DATE.
9
This title shall apply to conduct occurring after the
10 date of the enactment of this Act.
11 TITLE II-REPORT TO VICTIMS
12
ON FEDERAL CRIMES COM-
13
MITTED WITH FIREARMS
14 SEC. 201. REPORT TO VICTIMS ON FEDERAL CRIMES COM-
15
MITTED WITH FIREARMS.
16
Within 30 days after a conviction is obtained in any
17 Federal court of a crime during or in relation to which
18 an individual was injured or killed by a firearm (as defined
19 in section 921(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code), the
20 United States attorney prosecuting the case shall report,
21 on whether title I of this Act applies to the firearm, to-
22
(1) the individual; or
23
(2) if the individual is dead—
24
(A) the closest relative of the individual; or
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
8
1
(B) if there is no such relative, the estate
2
of the individual.
3
TITLE III-REVENUE
4
PROVISIONS
5 SEC. 301. INCREASE IN TAX ON FIREARMS.
6
(a) IN GENERAL-Section 4181 of the Internal Rev-
7 enue Code of 1986 (relating to imposition of tax on fire-
8 arms) is amended to read as follows:
9 "SEC. 4181. IMPOSITION OF TAX.
10
"There is hereby imposed a tax on the sale by the
11 manufacturer, producer, or importer of any firearm, shell,
12 or cartridge a tax equal to—
13
"(1) in the case of firearms, 20 percent of the
14
price for which SO sold, and
15
"(2) in the case of shells and cartridges, 11
16
percent of the price for which SO sold."
17
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.-The amendment made by
18 subsection (a) shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st
19 calendar month beginning more than 30 days after the
20 date of the enactment of this Act.
21
(c) FLOOR STOCKS TAX-
22
(1) IMPOSITION OF TAX-In the case of any
23
firearm on which tax was imposed under section
24
4181 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 before
25
the tax-increase date and which is held on such date
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
9
1
for sale by any dealer, there is hereby imposed a
2
floor stocks tax on such firearm.
3
(2) AMOUNT OF TAX-The amount of tax im-
4
posed by paragraph (1) with respect to any firearm
5
shall be equal to the amount of tax imposed under
6
section 4181 of such Code with respect to such fire-
7
arm before the tax-increase date.
8
(3) LIABILITY FOR TAX AND METHOD OF PAY-
9
MENT.-
10
(A) LIABILITY FOR TAX-Any dealer hold-
11
ing any firearm on the tax-increase date to
12
which any tax imposed by paragraph (1) applies
13
shall be liable for such tax.
14
(B) METHOD OF PAYMENT.-The tax im-
15
posed by paragraph (1) shall be paid in such
16
manner as the Secretary of the Treasury or his
17
delegate shall prescribe by regulations.
18
(C) TIME FOR PAYMENT.-The tax im-
19
posed by paragraph (1) shall be paid before the
20
close of the 6-month period beginning on the
21
tax-increase date.
22
(4) DEFINITIONS.-For purposes of this
23
subsection-
24
(A) TAX-INCREASE DATE.-The term "tax-
25
increase date" means the 1st day of the 1st cal-
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL003
H.L.C.
10
1
endar month beginning more than 30 days after
2
the date of the enactment of this Act.
3
(B) FIREARM-The term 'firearm' has the
4
same meaning as when used in section 4181 of
5
such Code.
6
(5) OTHER LAWS APPLICABLE.-All provisions
7
of law, including penalties, applicable with respect to
8
the taxes imposed by section 4181 of such Code
9
shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with
10
the provisions of this subsection, apply to the floor
11
stocks taxes imposed by paragraph (1), to the same
12
extent as if such taxes were imposed by such section
13
4181.
14 SEC. 302. HOSPITAL GUNSHOT COST RELIEF TRUST FUND.
15
(a) IN GENERAL.-Subchapter A of chapter 98 of the
16 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to trust fund
17 code) is amended by adding at the end thereof the fol-
18 lowing new section:
19 "SEC. 9512. HOSPITAL GUNSHOT COST RELIEF TRUST
20
FUND.
21
"(a) CREATION OF TRUST FUND.-There is estab-
22 lished in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund
23 to be known as the 'Hospital Gunshot Cost Relief Trust
24 Fund', consisting of such amounts as may be appropriated
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
11
1 or credited to such Trust Fund as provided in this section
2 or section 9602(b).
3
"(b) TRANSFERS TO TRUST FUND.-
4
"(1) IN GENERAL.-There are hereby appro-
5
priated to the Hospital Gunshot Cost Relief Trust
6
Fund amounts equivalent to 50 percent of the net
7
revenues received in the Treasury from the firearms
8
tax.
9
"(2) NET REVENUES.-For purposes of para-
10
graph (1), the term 'net revenues' means the
11
amount estimated by the Secretary based on the ex-
12
cess of-
13
"(A) the firearms taxes received in the
14
Treasury, over
15
"(B) the decrease in the tax imposed by
16
chapter 1 resulting from the firearms taxes.
17
"(3) FIREARMS TAX.-For purposes of this sec-
18
tion, the term 'firearms tax' means the tax imposed
19
by section 4181 with respect to firearms (within the
20
meaning of such section).
21
"(c) EXPENDITURES FROM TRUST FUND.-Amounts
22 in the Hospital Gunshot Cost Relief Trust Fund shall be
23 available, as provided in appropriation Acts, only for pur-
24 poses of making expenditures to assist hospitals located
25 in urban areas in defraying the costs incurred in providing
January 29, 1993
F:\M\REYNOL\REYNOL.003
H.L.C.
12
1 medical care to gunshot victims who are not covered under
2 any health plan."
3
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.-The table of sections
4 for such subchapter A is amended by adding at the end
5 thereof the following new item:
"Sec. 9512. Hospital Gunshot Cost Relief Trust Fund."
January 29, 1993
MEL REYNOLDS
514 CANNON HoB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
2D DISTRICT, ILLINOIS
(202) 225-0773
525 E. 103D ST.
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
CHICAGO, IL 60628
SUBCOMMITTEES:
Congress of the United States
(312) 568-7900
HUMAN RESOURCES
17926 S. HALSTED
SOCIAL SECURITY
SUITE 1 WEST
house of Representatives
Homewood, IL 60430
(708) 957-9955
Mashington, DC 20515-1302
March 18, 1993
Pictures
To: The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Fr: Congressman Mel Reynolds
Re: Taxation of Firearms as a Response to the Public Health
Crisis Caused by Gunfire
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:
* U.S. HOSPITALS PROVIDED BETWEEN $1-4 BILLION IN UNCOMPENSATED
CARE TO TRAUMA PATIENTS IN 1988. (Source: Journal of the American
Medical Association, 1988; 260:3048-3050)
* THE ESTIMATED COST OF TREATING A GUNSHOT VICTIM RANGES FROM
$15,000 TO $20,000. (Source: Journal of the American Medical
Association, June 10, 1992; 267:3067-3070)
* FURTHER TREATMENT OR CARE, CAN COST BETWEEN $150,000 AND
$270,000 PER PATIENT. LIFETIME COSTS RANGE FROM $600,000 TO $1
MILLION FOR QUADRIPLEGIC TO $400,000 TO $500,000 FOR PARAPLEGICS.
* DEATH BY GUNFIRE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG BLACK
MALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 TO 19, CLAIMING CLOSE TO 1000 LIVES
ANNUALLY.
* A BLACK MALE AGES 15-19 IN 1988 WAS NEARLY THREE TIMES MORE
LIKELY TO DIE FROM A BULLET THAN A DISEASE.
* 1 IN EVERY 28 BLACK MALES BORN IN 1987 IS LIKELY TO BE
MURDERED. FOR WHITE MALES, THE RATIO IS 1 IN 205.
* GUNS ARE ALREADY LEVIED A 10 PERCENT EXCISE TAX ON HANDGUNS,
AND 11 PERCENT ON ALL OTHER FIREARMS. THE TAX RATE ON HANDGUNS
HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 1940 AND ON ALL OTHER FIREARMS SINCE
1954 (AMMUNITION IS ALSO LEVIED AN 11 PERCENT EXCISE TAX).
H.R. 737, THE STRICT LIABILITY FOR SAFER STREETS ACT OF
1993, WOULD EFFECTIVELY DOUBLE THE CURRENT EXCISE TAX ON
FIREARMS, DIRECTING HALF OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED TO A TRUST
FUND. URBAN HOSPITALS WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS FUNDS, IN THE
FORM OF GRANTS, IN ORDER TO HELP THEM OFFSET THE COSTS OF
TREATING UNINSURED GUN SHOT VICTIMS.
* THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THE EXCISE TAX HAS GROWN STEADILY
SINCE 1986, FROM $62.4 MILLION TO $123 MILLION IN 1991,
EFFECTIVELY DOUBLING IN SIX YEARS. AMMUNITION REVENUES ARE NOT
INCLUDED IN THESE FIGURES. (Sources: I.R.S., B.A.T.F.)
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
IMPACT OF GUNS ON
HOSPITALS AND TRAUMA CARE CENTERS:
1) U.S. HOSPITALS PROVIDED BETWEEN $1-4 BILLION IN UNCOMPENSATED
CARE TO TRAUMA PATIENTS IN 1988. (Source: Journal of the American
Medical Association, 1988; 260:3048-3050)
2) ESTIMATES PLACE THE PERCENTAGE OF UNINSURED GUNSHOT PATIENTS
AT UP TO 80 PERCENT, DROWNING THE NATION'S TRAUMA CARE SYSTEM IN
RED INK.
3) "A TYPICAL PATIENT AT DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITALS
IS
YOUNG, MALE AND UNINSURED
WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT
WOUNDS,' ACCORDING TO DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
VINCENT MARKOVCHIK, M.D., AS QUOTED IN 1990. (Source: Modern
Healthcare, February 5, 1990)
4) BETWEEN 1986 AND 1991, 92 OF THE NATION'S 549 DESIGNATED
TRAUMA CARE CENTERS CLOSED, LEAVING 457 CENTERS. IN SOME AREAS
OF THE COUNTRY, THE LEVEL OF COVERAGE HAS BEEN STRETCHED RAZOR
THIN (Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, June
10, 1992; 267:2994-2996)
a) Virginia: Five centers serving the entire state.
b) Houston: One trauma center for a 620 square mile area.
c) Chicago: Six centers serving the metropolitan area. None
of the centers are located on the city's south side.
The remaining centers lost a total of $12 million in 1991.
d) Washington: MedStar, the trauma unit at Washington
Hospital Center, experienced a gunshot caseload increase in
1988 of 204 percent over 1987, to a record 359 cases. The
unit's average cost of treating a "penetrating trauma"
(gunshot or stabbing) patient is estimated at $15,000 to
$18,000. The unit lost $22 million in FY '89 that
executives attribute mainly to the cost of treating
uninsured penetrating trauma patients.
e) California: Between 1980 and 1989, 12 trauma centers in
California
closed
nine of them in Los Angeles.
Statewide, gunshot patients are estimated to cost $73 to
$137 million a year and up to $171 million if physician
and other professional fees are considered.
f) Detroit: Nonpaying patients have jumped from 8 percent of
the total at Detroit Receiving Hospital to 23 percent
between 1985 and 1990.
5) THE ESTIMATED COST OF TREATING A GUNSHOT VICTIM RANGES FROM
$15,000 TO $20,000. (Source: Journal of the American Medical
Association, June 10, 1992; 267:3067-3070)
6) FURTHER TREATMENT OR CARE, SUCH AS INTENSIVE CARE OR
REHABILITATION IS NOT UNUSUAL, COSTING BETWEEN $150,000 AND
$270,000 PER PATIENT. LIFETIME COSTS RANGE FROM $600,000 TO $1
MILLION FOR QUADRIPLEGIC TO $400,000 TO $500,000 FOR PARAPLEGICS.
(Source: "California Under the Gun: State's Hospitals Struggle to
Keep Up As The Bullets Fly," Sacramento Bee; June 4, 1989)
7) A 1991 TEXAS STUDY OF FIREARM MORTALITY IN TEXAS BETWEEN 1976
AND 1985 CONCLUDED THAT THE ECONOMIC COST OF FIREARM DEATHS IN
TEXAS WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $40.7 BILLION PER YEAR. (Source:
"Firearm Mortality in Texas, 1976-1985: how far is Fort Smith?"
Texas Medicine/The Journal; April 1991; 87:78-83)
8) MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS: Cook County Hospital experienced a
jump from 5% to 25% in the number of patients admitted with
multiple gunshot wounds between 1982 and 1991.
GUNS AND THE IMPACT ON THE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY:
1) DEATH BY GUNFIRE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG BLACK
MALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 TO 19, CLAIMING CLOSE TO 1000 LIVES
ANNUALLY. (See Figure 1 below)
2) THE AVERAGE AGE OF PATIENTS ADMITTED TO CHICAGO'S MOUNT SINAI
HOSPITAL FOR GUNSHOT WOUNDS IN 1991 WAS 25, 93 PERCENT OF WHOM
WERE MALE. YOUNG MALES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID.
3) A BLACK MALE AGES 15-19 IN 1988 WAS NEARLY THREE TIMES MORE
LIKELY TO DIE FROM A BULLET THAN A DISEASE.
4) 1 IN EVERY 28 BLACK MALES BORN IN 1987 IS LIKELY TO BE
MURDERED. FOR WHITE MALES, THE RATIO IS 1 IN 205.
5) FOR BLACK MALES, AGED 15-19, FIREARM HOMICIDES HAVE INCREASED
125 PERCENT SINCE 1984.
6) A YOUNG BLACK MALE IS 9 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE MURDERED THAN
A YOUNG WHITE MALE.
7) A 1991 STUDY OF FIREARM MORTALITY IN TEXAS FROM 1976-1985
CONCLUDED THAT BLACK MALES HAD THE HIGHEST FIREARM HOMICIDE RATE
IN THE STATE (53.9 PER 100,000)
200
100
50
Deaths per 100000 Population
20
10
5
2
1
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
Year
Firearm Homicide
Nonfirearm Homicide
Malignant Neoplasms
Motor Vehicle Crash
Firearm Suicide
---
Discases of Heart
Nonfirearm Suicide
Fig -Leading causes of death for black males 15 through 19 years of age, 1979 through 1989. (from the
Compressed Mortality File of the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Discase Control).
WHY TAX GUNS?
1) EVERY DAY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, 40 PEOPLE ARE SHOT. TWO OF
THEM DIE EACH DAY. TWENTY-FOUR CHILDREN, 14 AND UNDER, WERE
KILLED IN CHICAGO IN 1992.
2) EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, 27 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE MURDERED BY
HANDGUNS (Source: Sen. John Chafee, "Ban Handguns," The
Washington Post, June 9, 1992; p. A15)
3) ACCORDING TO FORMER HHS SECRETARY SULLIVAN, EVERY 100 HOURS
THREE TIMES AS MANY YOUNG MEN ARE KILLED BY GUNS THAN WERE KILLED
DURING THE 100 HOURS OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR (Source: The
Washington Post, March 14, 1991; p. A1).
4) GUNS ARE ALREADY LEVIED A 10 PERCENT EXCISE TAX ON HANDGUNS,
AND 11 PERCENT ON ALL OTHER FIREARMS. THE TAX RATE ON HANDGUNS
HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 1940 AND ON ALL OTHER FIREARMS SINCE
1954 (AMMUNITION IS ALSO LEVIED AN 11 PERCENT EXCISE TAX).
H.R. 737, THE STRICT LIABILITY FOR SAFER STREETS ACT OF
1993, WOULD EFFECTIVELY DOUBLE THE CURRENT EXCISE TAX ON
FIREARMS, DIRECTING HALF OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED TO A TRUST
FUND. URBAN HOSPITALS WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS FUNDS, IN THE
FORM OF GRANTS, IN ORDER TO HELP THEM OFFSET THE COSTS OF
TREATING UNINSURED GUN SHOT VICTIMS.
5) THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THE EXCISE TAX HAS GROWN STEADILY
SINCE 1986, FROM $62.4 MILLION TO $123 MILLION IN 1991,
EFFECTIVELY DOUBLING IN SIX YEARS. AMMUNITION REVENUES ARE NOT
INCLUDED IN THESE FIGURES. (Sources: I.R.S., B.A.T.F.)
OTHER FACTS:
1) IN 1990, FIVE MILITARY PHYSICIANS AND STUDENTS BEGAN STAFFING
TWO OF THREE SHIFTS AT WASHINGTON'S MEDSTAR TRAUMA UNIT, IN ORDER
TO TRAIN FOR TREATMENT OF COMBAT-LIKE INJURIES. THEIR SALARIES
ARE PAID WITH TAXPAYER MONEY.
2) HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS AND TRAUMA CENTERS ARE RESPONDING TO
THE FLOOD OF GUN-RELATED VIOLENCE: LOS ANGELES COUNTY-HARBOR-
UCLA MEDICAL CENTER, PLANNED TO SPEND $230,000 ON SECURITY STAFF
IN 1990, AND CONSIDERED THE PURCHASE OF METAL DETECTORS FOR THE
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
washington Past 3/5/93
Does Congress Hear the Gunfire?
UNFIRE is loudest not in the places where
G
if enacted. It should be enacted on its own right
the long guns of sport are fired by law-
away.
abiding men and women but in the streets,
Taxes: Along with increases in taxes on ciga-
homes, offices and stores where handguns and
rettes and alcohol to offset costs associated with
weapons of war abound. The bloody stories are
health care, Congress is looking at proposals to
everyday reading, and the public outcry is mount-
increase the current 10 percent excise tax on
ing. It comes, too, from gun owners who want
handguns and 11 percent on all other firearms to
nothing to do with the free flow of firearms to the
20 percent and 21 percent respectively. Rep.
wrong hands and who understand the crucial
Mel Reynolds of Illinois and others seeking this
distinction between their own peaceful pursuits
change cite rough estimates of hospitalization
and the mindless marketing of handguns. State
expenses for firearms injuries that run from more
actions are helping but the most effective moves
than $400 million to $1 billion a year. Whatever
are up to Congress:
form the additional taxation might take, it should
The Brady Bill: Every substantive poll taken in
be a substantial amount.
recent years has shown it enjoys overwhelming
A Handgun Ban: Republican Sen. John Chafee
public support. Every major law enforcement
of Rhode Island continues to propose a national
organization supports it. Bob Scully, executive
ban on the sale, manufacture or ownership of
director of the National Association of Police
handguns. There would be exceptions for law
Organizations, representing more than 140,000
enforcement and military agencies, collectors of
police officers, noted that "just one week ago, I
antique firearms, federally licensed handgun
stood in the U.S. Capitol for the introduction of
sporting clubs operating under certain safety
the Brady bill. Since then seven law enforcement
procedures, security guard services and licensed
officers have been shot and killed. It's our job to
dealers, importers or manufacturers that are
protect the citizens of the United States, but who
determined to be serving legitimate needs.
is protecting us?" The bill would require a five-
That's a stiff proposal, not likely to rally a
day waiting period and mandatory background
majority behind it in a hurry. But it raises a
check for handgun sales from dealers. It has won
serious question: Why should this country load up
support in the Senate and the House in the past,
on concealable weapons? More and more people
and now President Clinton has promised to sign it
have more and more cause to wonder.
1.
1.11 symbols are.
the meaning of words
makels must pay the price
sign of
nd symbols are concepts
By Mel Reynolds
leeper level than the
stand.
who will have the courage to stop the camage and flow
Killing our children
nbuls may be located in
of blood in our communities?
er bright young people
Dav after day. the indiscriminate killing continues. or.
of Icad and fill them
the South Side. the northwest suburbs. all comers of the
trauma centers. Hospitals that used 10 provide such care
hem into what turns out
metropolitan area Like a cancer. the violence and
an political reality.
bloodshed spread. Unchecked. It will destroy the very
were overwhelmed by the costs associated with treating
uninsured patients. The costs associated with the
enties without these
social fabric that binds all of us together.
treatment of uninsured persons who were injured or
cnt on symbolically
The statistics are shocking and sobering Nationally.
maimed by gunshots certainly were contributory factors
hinistration into
nearh 25.000 Americans were killed in 1991. half of the
the decision by hospitals on the South Side to close their
to Washington."
deaths attributable to handguns. J figure comparable to
doors to triuma patients.
it about symbols whose
the population of Hazel Crest.
Only if "e are able to hold manufacturers and
to be in street signs,
In 1991. Illinois recorded 1224 murders. Of those. 830
importers of these weapons responsible and accountable
of the depths of human
were attributable to firearms. with handguns responsible
and mandate that they assume a heavier monetary hurde
not tell the difference
for 36 homicides. A disproportionate number of these
for their actions. can we even hope to begin to reduce
attic signal.
homicides occurred in the African- American community.
slaughter of our cluzens.
but signals that they
For its teenage boys. gunshot deaths outnumber all natural
Since liability is not a new concept in American
hts. But traffic signals
causes of death combined, according to the FBI. No
junsprudence. There IS well-established common law
erficial as a catcher's
community has gone unseathed. however.
doctrine of strict liability for "ultra-hazardous activities.
1. They direct external
According io the Tribune's own study of this issue. 59
These are uncommon activities creating a great risk of
an move people's souls.
children 14 and under. were killed in the Chicago area in
harm to the community which outweighs any value the
terms one part naivete to
1992. 24 by gunfire. The overwhelming majority of the
activity may have. The doctrine has been applied to the
it's men prod their idea
victims of such gunfire were African-American children
if it were a reluctant
Innocent children of all races with the whole world ahead
storage and use of explosives. to the storage of natural En
and to the sale of dangerous pesticides. So it should be
"This is what we are
of them, silenced far too soon by an assailant's bullet
with handguns and serri-automatic assault weapons.
are doing. And this is
And yet the manufacturers of these death machines
Strict liability applied to manufacturers of handguns to
we have just done."
blithely continue churning out weapons, proclaiming them
irs revealed their shallow
in advertisements as the best home protection money can
even withstood scrutiny by the courts. Marviand's highes
court, in a 1985 decision in Kelley V. R.G. Industries.
a 25 percent reduction
buy. They neglect to tell the public that the New England
is us, Americans were
Journal of Medicine found that a handgun owner, family
ial cut to prepare them
member or friend is 43 times more likely to be killed by a
have to make in
handgun kept in the home than he or she is to use that
re would not miss the
handgun for self-defense.
ded that it was a symbol
The handgun and semi-automatic assault weapons
manufacturers will argue that the 2nd Amendment
mbol" was found to be a
justifies their relentless pursuit of profit and market share.
bearance was caused by
They cannot. however. attempt to grasp the brass ring of
inside, and that the $10
the moral high ground with blood on their hands. They
aved at all but spent
are not simply manufacturing a product to satisfy a
an people were neither
demand They are ensuring the swift. painful. early death
noment. Children are
of thousands of children. women and families.
"Sesame Street" than
This nightmare must end Our children, indeed all
by this presentation.
citizens. should be able to enjoy our parks. walk
popular level disturbs
unnocently down the street and laugh with our friends. It
is an American tragedy that far 100 many children do not
know what it is to play outside without fear. yet know all
f symbols may be
:00 well the caliber of a weapon by the shot they hear in
ingar in which other
the dark of the night or light of day.
If we are serious about stanching the flow of blood in
anufacture trial
our streets. then we must hold those individuals and
Angeles
efore launching
companies who manufacture and traffic in handguns and
semi-automatic assault weapons strictly liable for the
found that handguns. such as the infamous "Saturda:
out to be a no-fly
injury. maiming and death caused by those weapons.
Night Special." "have no legitimate purpose in toda:
ical reality.
Further. we must begin to address the enormous costs to
society and concluded that the manufacturer
our already overburdened health-care system of treating
Saturday Night Special knows. or ought to
uninsured gunshot vicums.
is making or selling 2 product principally to be used
cannot fully explain
Toward that end. I have introduced the "Strict Liability
criminal activity.
ons are fitting, however.
for Safer Streets Act of 1993." The legislation holds
I have no doubt that those who cherish firearms
rtake of mystery, of what
manufacturers and importers of handguns and semi-
than the general welfare and sanctity of our communite
an superficial and
automatic assault weapons accountable for any injury or
such as the National Rifle Association. will fight this
death caused by the weapon, with some limited
proposal tooth and nail The issue and question of
1gs.
Terent from signs, signals,
exceptions. In addition, the legislation raises the current 10
corporate responsibility has nothing to do with the 2nd
gos, the staples of the
percent excise tax on handguns and 11 percent excise tax
Amendment My legislation in no way impinges upon it
on all other firearms to 20 percent and 21 percent
right of people to bear arms. There is no prohibition on
complex that makes the
L
respectively. Half of the total revenue would be deposited
the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearms. On th
formulations we can
into a trust fund to be utilized by urban hospitals to help
contrary, the legislation is rooted in the common-sense
alleviate the costs of treating uninsured gunshot victims.
principle that people, and, by extension, corporations,
inknown. Symbols
the reality of that
(Since 1986, revenues from the firearms excise tax have
should be held responsible for their actions.
ritory, not MTV or
almost doubled, from $62 million to $123 million.)
It is high time that those who stand in the way of real
anot be entered or
It is no accident that on the South Side of Chicago,
progress on this issue find themselves caught in the "sigh
where the need for trauma care is greatest, there are no
of public outrage.
sepest layers of our being
Too much blood has been spilled, too many tears hav
J we are rationally aware
been shed, to turn a blind eye to the problem any longe
ould be more help if they
Md Reynolds (D-III.) is a member of the U.S. House of
We must take back our communities. The Strict Liabilit
salute, a gesture of
Representatives.
for Safer Streets Act of 1993 is the place to start.
with which he seems,
rine guard at his
Ficulty. The way a
THE WASHINGTON POST
3/4/93
Michael K. Beard
Gun Control: The Virginia Model
The need for national reform is obvious to almost everyone but the NRA.
The
A year ago Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wil-
which. although approved by both houses of
Another promising proposal that ought to
part
der and Bill Clinton were rivals for the
Congress in 1991, has never been sent to the
appeal to the Clinton administration was in-
long-
Democratic presidential nomination. To-
White House for the president to sign. The
troduced last month by freshman Rep. Mel
of
day, President Clinton would do well to em-
waiting period and police background check
Reynolds of Illinois. Reynolds's proposal calls
to
ulate Wilder in respect to the governor's
contained in the Brady bill, combined with the
for doubling the excise tax on handguns and
are
recent victory over the National Rifle Asso-
one-handgun limit, would effectively reduce
earmarking the funds to offset the medical
ciation, which resulted in the passage of a
gun trafficking from states with lax gun laws
costs incurred treating victims of gun VIO-
well
one-handgun-a-month limit in Virginia.
into jurisdictions that have enacted tougher
lence. Such a plan would shift the cost of gun
the
Wilder was able to overcome the influ-
statutes.
violence away from the public and onto those
ence of the state's gun lobby, which histori-
While the Brady bill would require hand-
who profit from the gun trade. It might also
to
cally has defeated all gun initiatives in Vir-
gun buyers to undergo a police background
reduce handgun sales in the same manner
These
ginia, by circumventing the special
check, no such system is in place for gun sell-
other "sin" taxes are used to reduce con-
nonthly
interests and speaking directly to the peo-
ers. Currently, more than 270,000 Ameri-
sumption of tobacco and alcohol.
ple. As in the rest of the nation, public opin-
cans have federal licenses to sell guns, and
Finally, in addition to legislation, a massive
are
ion polls in Virginia continually show a solid
the understaffed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
public education campaign must be imple-
is
majority in favor of more restrictive gun
and Firearms does not have the capacity to
mented by the surgeon general along the lines
In
laws. In the past, however, the gun lobby
effectively police them all. Any comprehen-
of the successful anti-smoking campaign begun
was able to thwart the views of the majority
by relying on its campaign contributions
sive approach to reducing gun violence must
three decades ago. That campaign was vigor-
1991.
address the ease with which individuals can
ously opposed by the powerful tobacco lobby,
huge
and zealous membership.
obtain a seller's license.
and this one-which should discourage hand-
an
Am
This year Wilder. aided by the threat of
$1.2
an economic boycott of the state, was able
The shooting of five people near CIA head-
gun use, especially among young people-will
to mobilize the great majority of Virginians,
quarters with an AK-47 assault rifle high-
be attacked by the gun lobby. We need a sur-
including many in the business community
lights another growing problem with which
geon general-supported by the president-
self-
who will stand up to the gun lobby and declare
a
who had previously been silent on the issue.
Congress has in the past refused to deal.
premi-
handguns a public health hazard.
Several years ago, the Bush administration
of
Clinton will likely need to build the same
If President Clinton adopts each of these
a
type of coalition if effective gun control legis-
outlawed the importation of assault rifles but
of
proposals and is able to activate the support
urge
lation is to be enacted during his first term.
did nothing to stop their manufacture or sale
For
of the American people the way Gov. Wilder
the
The need for reform of the nation's gun
within the United States. Officials in Fairfax
was able to in Virginia, we may finally be
efaulted
laws is obvious to almost everyone aside
County, where the CIA shooting took place.
able to break the lock the gun lobby has had
pro-
from the gun lobby, which still steadfastly
reacted with surprise when informed that as-
on the legislative process and begin to re-
a
long-
clings to the one thing we know does not
sault rifles were not covered by the county's
duce the terrible and uniquely American
vorkers
work-the present system-and continues
handgun waiting period. Similarly, most
tragedy of gun violence.
all
its
to spew forth tired old slogans that long ago
Americans are surprised that these battle-
lost whatever meaning they might have held.
field-style weapons are sold at all and expect
The writer is president of the Coalition to
ensions
Handguns killed 25,000 Americans last
Congress and the president to act.
Stop Gun Viclence.
this
year. They are the leading cause of death
ng-term
for male teenagers across the country, and
a
low
in two states-Louisiana and Texas-fire-
years.
arm deaths recently surpassed automobile
range
fatalities. Yet. the NRA still maintains that
bailout,
"guns don't kill people, people kill people."
have
In Virginin, the NRA demonstrated its
per
growing irrelevance to the gun debate by re-
2
now).
fusing to offer any solutions to end the state's
remiums
gun-running reputation. The NRA's sole con-
tribution was a suggestion that driver's licens-
pension
es be made more difficult to obtain. The gun
good
lobby's whining against any inconvenience to
do.
In
the "law-abiding gun owner" sounded especial-
defined-
ly self-serving in light of this support of the
driver's license bill, which would have inconve-
accord-
nienced everyone in the state who drives.
ample
With the gun lobby apparently devoid of so-
future
lutions, a good place for a Clinton plan to begin
leaves
would be with a national one-handgun-a-month
to
the
bill. Legislation has already been introduced
their
by Rep. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey im-
eir
cur-
plementing the Virginia plan nationwide.
The Torricelli proposal acts a perfect
outinely
complement to the long-stalled Brady bill,
BY
to
pen-
under-
2B THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER Sunday, March 7. 1993
The Charlotte Observer
ROLFE NEILL, Chairman and Publisher
RICHARD OPPEL, Editor JOHN LUBY, General Manager
GENE WILLIAMS, Executive Vice President
ED WILLIAMS, Editor of the Editorial Pages JANE SHOEMAKER, Executive Editor
TOM BRADBURY, JACK BETTS, Associate Editors FRANK BARROWS, Managing Editor
Editorials
Guns kill
The public is paying a terrible cost for
failing to restrict the availability
of handguns.
I
n a story beginning on Page 1A today,
Restrictions on handguns would further
staff writer Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
curb handgun violence. For starters:
describes in stunning detail what every-
Congress should pass the Brady bill,
body knows in general: Handgun vio-
requiring a five-day waiting period and back-
lence has a terrible cost - not just in deaths
ground check for handgun sales from dealers.
and ruined lives. but in money spent on
North Carolina should make it illegal for
victims. Read her report, and ponder the costs.
anyone under age 21 to have a firearm. except
The public health problem of violence isn't
in restricted circumstances.
simple; it will require complex treatment. A
To drive a car you must get a driver's
good place to start is with children who grow
license and prove you can drive safely. Why
up thinking violence is an effective way to
should owning a fircarm be simpler?
solve problems. Charlotte-Mecklenburg's pub-
More than 270,000 Americans have fed-
lic schools are helping by teaching children
eral licenses to sell firearms. The Bureau of
other ways to resolve disputes. Another way to
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has nowhere
combat violence is to put violent criminals
near the resources to police them all. Make it
away. North Carolina is building prisons to do
tougher to get a license to sell firearms. and
that. The breakdown of families is a problem.
sharply reduce the number of licensed dealers.
Many public and private groups are working
Sen. John Chaffee, a Rhode Island Repub-
on that.
lican, proposes a ban on the sale, manufacture
Congressman Mel Reynolds, D-III., has pro-
or ownership of handguns except under
posed a response to the public cost of gun
certain circumstances (for example, for law
violence that wouldn' restrict gun ownership.
enforcement and security agencies, licensed
He would increase the excise tax on handguns
collectors and gun clubs). His bill probably
from 10% to 20% and on other firearms from
won't go anywhere, but it raises a good
11% to 21%, and deposit, half the total revenues
question: How does America benefit from an
in a trust fund to help hospitals pay for treating
open market in concealable weapons?
uninsured gunshot victims. We'd tax handguns
There's no simple remedy for violence. But
more and exempt hunting firearms from the
to reduce handgun violence, America must
increase, but he's on the right track.
restrict the availability of handguns.
Gun control push gathers stea n
Siege in Texas, backing from Clinton add to the momentum for new laws
By Michael Putzel
The bill was soundly defeated de-
across the country, gun control advo-
In Texas, gun-toting citizens :1
GLOBE STAFF
spite Edwards' vote switch, and w-
cates are seizing on the Waco case,
fighting for the right to carry
day, with tanks and other military
in which four federal agents and as
realed weapons as undercov
WASHINGTON - The day after
vehicles surrounding a band of heav.
many at A dozen cultists were killed
agents can, a move that they are
a guninan drove through the window
ily anned religious zealots outside
in Я shoulout early last week, to re-
would frighten off criminals E
of a Killeen, Texas, cafeteria in Octo-
his hometown of Waco, the Demo-
kindle their campaign to make it
Gov. Ann Richards said yesterd:
ber 1991 and killed 22 persons, a
cratic congressman isn't talking.
harder for people to buy handguns
she would veto such a bill if il ge
shaken Rep. Chet Edwards, who re-
"Il would be premature and fool-
and assault weapons.
through the Legislature.
presents Killeen and knew some of
ish" to discuss gun control while the
The case is one of several recent
And some state lawmakers R:
3/11/93
the victims, abandoned his long-
10-day standoff between the reli-
developments that have prompted
talking about banning assault wes
standing opposition to gun control
gious cult and federal agents contin-
gun-control advocates to step up
ons - a radical concept in a state to
and voted for a national ban on as-
ues, an Edwards spokesman said.
their efforts and have led foes of
boasts of its Wild West legacy. T
sault weapons.
But in the Texas Legislature and
their goals to consider retooling.
GUN CONTROL, Page
Landscape for gun control
A look at congressional gun control proposals. and actions in some cities and states.
CONGRESS
VIRGINIA
carry concealed weapons. The Lone
Star state has a long tradition of sup-
The Brady Bill, named for President
The state that gun control advocates
porting the rights of gun owners, but
Ronald Reagan's press secretary who
labeled the wellspring for gunrumers
gun control advocates point to the
was shot during an assassination
up and down the East Coast adopted
fatal shootout in Waco between fed-
attempt against Reagan 12 years
0 law Feb. 25 limiting handgun pur
eral agents and Branch Davidians as
ago. was reintroduced last week with
chases to one a month per person, a
evidence that guns prompt violence.
supporters optimistic that President
measure that Gov. Douglas Wilder-
The state health department has
Clinton's piedge of support will be
made the centerpiece of his anti-
reported that more people are shot to
enough to ensure its passage. The
crime campaign.
death in Texas than die in automobile
bill. which passed both houses last
accidents.
year Dut died at the end of the ses-
NEW JERSEY
sion when Republicans threatened to
MADISON. WISCONSIN
fillibuster a crime bill to which it was
The state is finishing a hard-fought
attached. would require handgun
battle to repeal the strictest ban in
The city is scheduled to hold a refer-
buyers to undergo a police back-
the nation against assault weapons.
endum in April on a proposal to ban
ground check and wait five business
The Republican-controlled legislature
all handguns.
days before picking up their purchas-
voted to repeal the state's ban on
es. Supporters of the National Rifle
assault weapons, the strictest law of
CHICAGO,ILLINOIS
Association are expected to counter
its type in the country. Gov. Jim
with a proposal to require an instant,
Florio, who had proposed the ban
Mayor Richard Daley recently
computerized background check of
during his 1989 campaign, vetood
announced he would seek legislation
gun buyers at the time of purchase.
the repeal, and the lower house
to make weapons manufacturers
Lawmakers also have proposed a
voted to override him. The state
liable for damage caused by their
national limit of one handgun pur-
Senate could take up the measure
products, a measure similar to one
chase a month per person, which
this week but Florio supporters say
already adopted in the District of
Clinton has said he would support,
they have mustered the votes to.sus
Columbia. Daley also proposed a ban
and doubling the 11 percent federal
tain the veto and keep the ban in
on assault weapons and as well as a
excise tax on guns and ammunition
place. If so. the vote to override may
25-percent tax on the sale of other
to help pay the cost of treating Deo-
be postponed.
guns and ammunition, with the rev.
pie wounded by gunfire. Sen. John
enues earmarked for trauma centers
H. Chafee is expected to introduce
TEXAS
and caring for those injured by guns.
legislation this month to ban private
ownership of handguns. a measure
Opposing forces are squaring off
given a chance of success.
over a proposal to permit Texans to
COMPILED BY MICHAEL PUTZEL
Texas siege, Clinton backing
bolster efforts at gun contro
GUN CONTROL
new fervor in a number of states.
Continued from Page 1
In New Jersey. Florio is fight
The difference is
to save his state's ban on assa
proposal is given little chance of pas-
the constituents
weapons. which have gained pop
sage this year. but some Texans find
larity among drug dealers and stre
it remarkable that the bill is even up
are mad. They're
gangs. Florio won passage of the
for debate.
mad about the
in 1989. but it was repealed last yes
"In light of what's going on in
Florio vetoed the repeal. but
Texas. we're going to tackle assault
carnage and mad
lower house voted recently to
weapons." said Michael Beard. presi-
about the kids who
ride him.
dent of the Coalition to Stop Gun
are afraid to go to
Yesterday. however. propone:
Violence. "We have a window of op-
of the ban appeared near victo
portunity right now. and no idea how
school.'
With the state Senate president
wide it is."
five other Republicans saving th
Meanwhile, Sarah Brady, who
SARAH BRADY
would not support an override
heads Handgun Control Inc.. said
Handgun Control Inc.
Florio's veto. observers said :
the same voter anger that fueled
prorepeal forces could not must
anti-Washington fever in last fall's
the requisite votes for an override
elections has helped turn the tide
the state had become notorious as 2
In Wisconsin. forces are squari:
against the National Rifle Associ-
supply source for gunrunners from
off over a referendum, scheduled
ation. whose campaign contributions
Maine to Florida
next month, on a proposal to i
and army of grass-roots members
In response to such recent losses,
handguns in Madison, the state Ca
have defeated most gun laws for dec-
the NRA is switching tacties, putting
ital
ades.
less stress on its traditional defense
In Congress, some gun-cont:
Brady, whose husband, Jim. was
of the right to keep and bear arms
advocates hope to push beyo:
gravely wounded in the assassina-
and launching an ambitious crusade
Brady's waiting-period legislatic
tion attempt on President Reagan 12
to fight crime by building more pris-
Rep. Mel Reynolds of Illinois.
years ago, has acquired a powerful
ons and putting more criminals in
freshman Democrat who was shot
new ally in President Clinton. Clin-
them.
during the election campaign la
ton has said repeatedly that if Con-
"We are undertaking a funda-
year, has introduced legislation :t
gress passes the Brady Bill. a pro-
mental new mission," said Wayne
would make firearms manufacture
posal for handgun control that was
LaPierre Jr., executive vice presi-
liable for damage done by their P:
opposed by President Bush. he will
dent of the NRA "We want to be-
ducts.
sign it
come the No. 1 crime-fighting orga-
Reynolds. whose district include
nization in the United States of
the violence-racked South Side
Praise for governors
America. At the same time. we want
Chicago. also proposes to double :
Talking to students in New Jer-
to protect the opportunity of honest
existing federal excise tax on fir
sey last week. Clinton hailed Virgin-
citizens to own guns."
arms and earmark the proceeds :
ia Gov: Douglas Wilder and New
Last week. Senate Majority
a fund to finance trauma units
Jersey Gov. Jim Florio for leading
Leader George Mitchell. a Maine
areas where gunshot wounds are
gun-control campaigns in their
Democrat. reintroduced the Brady
major burden on the health care
states. And a spate of killings of po-
Bill, which would require buyers of
tem.
lice officers from California to Vir-
handguns to undergo a background
"After the economy and heal
ginia to Boston has helped spawn
check and wait five business days be-
care, this is going to be the issue
calls for new limits from law enforce-
fore picking up their purchases. The
the '90s." Reynolds said. reciting
ment groups.
measure passed both houses of Con-
urban litany of drive-by shootin:
But Brady said she is even more
gress last year but died when Re-
gang violence and cases of scho
encouraged by what she describes as
publican opponents threatened to
children being gunned down by 0:
unprecedented citizen concern. "The
filibuster the crime bill to which it
er children.
difference is the constituents are
was attached.
The NRA's LaPierre agrees tt
mad." Brady told the Globe.
Despite Brady's optimism. how-
violence has reached crisis levels
"They're mad about the carnage and
ever. Mitchell is concerned that even
the United States. but he blan
mad about the kids who are afraid to
a minority of opponents in the Sen-
politicians and a collapse of :
go to school. And they're speaking
ate could again use procedural tac-
criminal justice system. "I see
out"
tics to kill the bill. He said he has
coming down to a fundament:
The NRA suffered a major set-
made no decision about when to
philosophical debate as to wheth
back last month in Virginia when its
bring it to the floor.
we're going to ban guns or b
lobbying efforts failed to block a
criminals." he said.
grass-roots movement championed
State issues
To Brady. the issue is equally
by Wilder to limit handgun pur-
Outside Washington. the battle
sic: "Guns have no place in solvi
chases to one a month. Wilder said
over gun control is being waged with
life's problems." she said.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 1, 1994
The Honorable Mel Reynolds
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Reynolds:
Thank you for writing about your concerns with the Access
Initiative in the Health Security Act. We recognize, as you do,
that a Health Security Card will not alone guarantee that all
Americans receive appropriate medical care. The programs in the
Access Initiative are designed to assure that individuals in
medically underserved communities have real access to the full
range of services in the comprehensive benefit package, needed
support services, and an adequate choice of culturally sensitive
providers and health plans. The Health Security Act proposed by
the President builds on the community and migrant health center
program and provides support for these centers and other
community-based providers.
You have raised specific concerns about the level of funding
for community and migrant health centers. The Health Security
Act authorizes $600 million in new funds for community and
migrant health centers over fiscal years 1995 through 2000. In
addition, a new capacity expansion program ($2.7 billion over
fiscal years 1995 to 2000) will be available to community and
migrant health centers as well as other providers in medically
underserved areas to build new health care facilities, support
capital improvements for existing facilities, and link current
primary care providers with inpatient institutions through
information systems and telecommunications. The enabling
services program ($1.2 billion over fiscal years 1996 to 2000)
will be available to community and migrant health centers as well
as other providers in medically underserved areas to provide
translation, transportation, child-care and outreach services.
Expansion of the National Health Service Corps ($950 million over
fiscal years 1995 to 2000) will increase the supply of
practitioners available to serve in community and migrant health
centers.
You also raised concerns about offsets in funding for Public
Health Service programs. The offsets do not represent a
reduction in the ability of Public Health Service programs like
community and migrant health centers to provide services. The
offsets represent the amount of federal appropriations that will
not be needed because, with universal coverage, health plans will
make payments for those services for those individuals who were
previously uninsured or underinsured.
Page 2
February 1, 1994
Finally, we agree that Access Initiative grants should
continue to reward community-based providers. The Access
Initiative will integrate publicly-funded providers with private
providers and health plans. To receive funding under this
program, providers and plans must demonstrate significant
community involvement as well as the ability to provide access to
health services for all individuals in underserved areas.
1
The Health Security Act calls for substantial new funds for
the Access Initiative over fiscal years 1995 through 2000. / We
are committed to assuring a secure funding stream for these
programs and look forward to working with you and other members
of Congress to define the appropriate mechanism to do so.
Please feel free to contact me with any additional concerns
or questions.
Sincerely yours,
Hillary
Hillary Rodham Clinton