Jane Harman: “I rise today, with a bipartisan groups of cosponsors, to introduce the Felon Gun Prevention Act to close an obscene…”

“I rise today, with a bipartisan groups of cosponsors, to introduce the Felon Gun Prevention Act to close an obscene loophole in the Federal Code. Most Americans know that convicted felons lose certain rights including the right to vote, sit on juries, and own firearms. But most Americans are unaware of a dangerous loophole that lets felons appeal to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms [BATF] to get back their gun rights. Between 1985 and 1990, over 2,300 felons were granted firearm relief. Among those who got their gun rights back through this appeal were individuals convicted of illegally transporting firearms, dealing drugs, manslaughter, assault, robbery, and rape. The outrageousness of this loophole is compounded by the fact that taxpayers must pay the entire bill for the research the BATF must do before granting relief. In 1991 alone, this program consumed over $4 million of the BATF's budget and more than 40 full-time employees. It is time to close this loophole for good. I urge the House to pass the Felon Gun Prevention Act when the crime bill is considered after the recess.”