On the recordMay 29, 2014
This amendment would increase from $3 million to $6 million the amount of funds appropriated for competitive grants to distribute firearm safety materials and gun locks under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. The Edward Byrne program is funded at $376 million total, as recently amended up to $380 in this appropriations bill. The $3 million increase that I am seeking is less than 1 percent of the total allocation of the program and has received a budget-neutral score from the Congressional Budget Office. I think that increasing the level of gun safety in America is a priority, and I hope that my colleagues would agree. Nothing in this amendment would restrict any American citizen's Second Amendment rights. The only thing that this amendment seeks to do is to achieve greater gun literacy, safety, and avoid accidents. This amendment makes good sense, it will save lives, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it. I yield back the balance of my time.
