Robert Ehrlich: “One, congratulations to the chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum). It is a terrific bill. Secondly, I…”

“One, congratulations to the chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum). It is a terrific bill. Secondly, I share concerns with respect to mandatory minimum sentences. However, when it deals with gun-toting criminals, felons who are caught with guns, minimum mandatory sentences are clearly appropriate. Third, contrary to what we just heard, the NRA and Handgun Control supports Project Exile. Handgun Control supports Project Exile. Fourth, contrary to what we just heard with respect to allowable uses under Project Exile, under this bill we have police prosecutors, courts, probation officers, the juvenile justice system, prison expansion, criminal history record improvements, and case management program innovation. They are allowable uses under this bill. Fifth and finally, Mr. Speaker, my personal road here is an interesting one. I have complained an awful lot in this House about the failure of both sides to talk about gun control effectively. I heard a year and a half ago about Richmond. I have gone down to Richmond. I have talked to the prosecutors, the Governor, the gentlemen down there. It just works. It may not be the gun control agenda from the left, but Project Exile just works, and it works because the State legislature is involved passing statutes that comport with the Federal statutes so we do not federalize the criminal justice system, prosecutors work together.”