David Levy: “I rise in strong opposition to the rule. Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago, I recommended that this House adopt legislation…”

“I rise in strong opposition to the rule. Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago, I recommended that this House adopt legislation that would criminalize the interstate transportation of firearms by persons knowing that the firearms would be used unlawfully. As the crime bill approached the House floor, I proposed that my firearms measure be incorporated into it through an amendment that the Rules Committee is now refusing to allow. I became interested in this subject after a lone gunman shot up a commuter train in my district. When the shooting stopped six Long Islanders were dead, many more were injured. The firearm used in the crime was purchased legally in California by an angry young man who waited 15 days to purchase the weapon as the law of California requires. The Brady bill was not in effect when this gun was purchased. Had it been, it would have made no difference. To my many friends who supported the Brady bill, let's admit today that despite its passage, there will be cases--like the Long Island Railroad massacre--in which handguns fall into the wrong hands. And it is our obligation to punish those who use firearms in violent crimes. So why won't we do that? Mr. Speaker, it is a Federal crime to transport explosives across State lines for the purpose of using them illegally. An alleged criminal in upstate New York faces the death penalty under Federal law because people died when they opened letter bombs that he made using explosives purchased in Kentucky.”