Sue Myrick: “I rise in support of S. 191. This is Senator Jesse Helms' companion to my H.R. 424, which passed the House on February…”

“I rise in support of S. 191. This is Senator Jesse Helms' companion to my H.R. 424, which passed the House on February 24 by an overwhelming vote of 350-to-589. As written, the Federal Criminal Code imposes a 5-year mandatory sentence when a felon uses or carries a firearm during the Commission of a violent crime or a drug trafficking offense. In the 1995 case of Bailey v. United States, though, the Supreme Court interpreted the word ``carry'' in the Federal criminal code to mean that a felon must fire or brandish his weapon. This is clearly contrary to Congress's intent, and it has resulted in the early release of hundreds of dangerous criminals. To put a stop to this mess, S. 191 clarifies that a criminal who possesses a gun while committing a violent crime or a drug crime will face a mandatory sentence. And at the same time, the bill increases the mandatory sentence for such crimes. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong defender of the second amendment, but no American has a right to go out and use a gun to commit a crime. Indeed, the National Rifle Association has endorsed S. 191 because they recognize the best way to protect our second amendment rights is to punish those who use their guns to rape or murder or traffic in drugs.”