William Bradley: “I rise as an original cosponsor to speak in support of the Gun Violence Prevention Act. I want to congratulate the…”

“I rise as an original cosponsor to speak in support of the Gun Violence Prevention Act. I want to congratulate the Senator from Ohio, Senator Metzenbaum, for his work on this bill. In addition, on the day the historic Brady bill goes into effect, I want to thank Jim and Sara Brady for working so diligently to highlight the need for comprehensive handgun legislation. The Brady bill was a good first step, and this legislation is an important second step in the process of curbing irresponsible handgun use in this country. Every year, more than 24,000 Americans, 65 a day, are killed with handguns, in homicides, by committing suicide, and by unintentional injuries. Handguns account for only one-third of all firearms, but are responsible for two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths. Handguns are used in about 80 percent of all firearm murders. Ninety-five percent of the people injured by a handgun each year require emergency care or hospitalization. Of these, 68 percent require overnight care and 32 percent require a hospital stay of 8 days or more. In 1991, the United States led the developed world with 14,373 gun murders, as compared to 186 gun murders in Canada, 76 in Australia, 60 in England, and 74 in Japan. One difference between the United States and the other countries cited is that the other countries all have much stricter gun control laws. A new handgun is produced every 20 seconds in America.”