Salt of the Earth: In Session June 2000

In session: legislative update
June 2000

What's next on gun control?
On May 14, 750,000 women marched in Washington D.C. to bring more attention to the proliferation of guns in the America. During the Million Mom March participants called for "common sense" legislation on gun sales and use. National organizers announced in May that the Million Moms will continue on as a grassroots organization working with other groups seeking stricter gun laws including:

* "cooling off" periods and background checks;
* registration and licensing of handgun owners;
* safety locks for handguns;
* a limit of one-handgun purchase per month per person;
* enforcement of current laws.

Democrats made a show of support for the Moms with a hearing on May 15 called "Cease Fire: End Gun Violence Now." Co-chairing the hearing was Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and Senators Byron Dorgan, Barbara Boxer, and John Kerry. They heard from mothers who lost children to gun violence.

Although the Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation Act (S. 254) was passed in the Senate last year, Democrats say it has been stalled by Republicans who refuse to let it out of committee. Democrats say the legislation would address a number of the issues the Million Mom March stressed.

More than a year after a bill closing the gun show loophole passed the Senate, pro-gun Republicans refuse to release the bill from a conference committee.

Senate Democrats are committed to closing the gun show loophole this year. They are also fighting for better enforcement of laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of children, and more ATF agents and inspectors to crack down on gun dealers who break the law. Democrats claim that gun safety legislation passed in 1993 and 1994 reduced gun crimes by 35 percent.—Maria Hickey
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