Cliff Stearns: “today we are taking a positive step toward effectively addressing gun violence. H.R. 4051, fashioned after the…”

“today we are taking a positive step toward effectively addressing gun violence. H.R. 4051, fashioned after the successful enforcement program in Richmond, VA, will send the message to criminals that an illegal gun will get you an automatic 5 year sentence without parole. Under this bill, States like Florida that have similar firearms laws would qualify for funding under this legislation. The grants can be used to strengthen all aspects of the State's criminal and juvenile justice systems. This is a commonsense approach to curbing gun violence. We are not just throwing money at new federal agents, we are addressing this issue at the State and local level--where it counts. Giving those States with tough firearms laws the assistance to aggressively enforce them, and helping other States adopt similar laws so that eventually, every criminal will know that wherever he travels within the U.S., if he has an illegal firearm--he is exiled to prison.”