Washington, DC — "The Second Amendment stands; it is not up for
discussion," says Georgia Congressman Charlie Norwood (R-10), "and this
Congress has found responsible ways to keep guns away from criminals and
children without infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding
gun owners."
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a
comprehensive Juvenile Offenders Act, H.R. 1501, that addresses not just
gun issues, but all the factors involved in the recent school shootings in
Littleton, Colorado, and Conyers, Georgia. In terms of
firearms law reform, Norwood voted for:
· Existing Federal Gun Law Violations: Increases penalties, and
provides for an assistant attorney position specifically for gun law
violations in each U.S. Attorney’s office.
· Adults Who
Illegally Give Guns To Minors: Doubles penalties.
· Gun
Ownership Loophole For Violent Juveniles: Prohibits juveniles who
commit serious violent crimes from owning guns as an adult.
·
Explosive Materials: Prohibits possession for those individuals
under 21, and prohibits transfer of information on using explosives to
commit crimes.
· Gun Shows: Prevents instant background checks
from shutting down legal gun shows; reduces firearms thefts from
interstate shipping by allowing gun dealers to make direct transfers;
increases penalties for criminals who use large capacity clips to commit
crimes.
· Right-to-Carry For Law Officers: Allows
qualified current and former law enforcement officers to carry a concealed
weapon at all times.
· Pawn Shops: Requires instant background
checks to claim guns left in pawn shops for over a year.
· DC
Gun Rights: Repeals District of Columbia law prohibiting citizens
from owning firearms. Also, a separate amendment that would not
repeal District of Columbia laws entirely, but would allow law-abiding
citizens to possess guns in their home for the purpose of
self-defense.
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